scientific foundation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scientific foundation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a base of knowledge built upon scientific experimentation or theory. For example, "We need to build a solid scientific foundation to create a plan to tackle global warming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Is there a scientific foundation to these bad connotations?

The Guardian - Books

The biotechnology industry rests on a very shaky scientific foundation.

The New York Times

"Exner's work provided a very important scientific foundation for Rorschach interpretation".

The New York Times - Magazine

Eventually, the court ruled that recovery of a repressed memory lacked sufficient scientific foundation to be admissible evidence.

The New York Times - Health

It was released on Wednesday as the scientific foundation for Mr. Feinberg's methodology for determining settlements from the fund.

The New York Times

Legislation to weaken the scientific foundation of laws such as the US clean air act will be more likely to pass.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Other clusters that were included were 'interaction' (RHS epidemiologists), 'scientific foundation' (municipal officials and RHS managers) and 'reliability' (municipal officials).

European Journal of Public Health

This work was supported by (1) the Natural Scientific Foundation of China (Grant Nos.

Nanoscale Research Letters

We gratefully thank Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS and National Natural Scientific Foundationof of China (NSFC) for their financial support.

AMB Express

Nature Scientific Foundation of China (81001158).

Cancer Science

Natural Scientific Foundation of Shandong Province ZR2013DQ017 to Jun Chen.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the basis for a claim or argument, ensure that the "scientific foundation" is clearly articulated and supported by credible sources. This strengthens the validity and persuasiveness of your argument.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "scientific foundation" when the evidence is preliminary, speculative, or based on limited data. It's crucial to accurately represent the level of certainty and support for any scientific claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scientific foundation" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes the basis or groundwork of something that is rooted in scientific principles. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the noun phrase "scientific foundation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term across diverse fields. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it signifies a base of knowledge stemming from scientific experimentation or established theory. Predominantly found in science, news, and formal business contexts, it lends credibility and authority to arguments, policies, or practices. Alternative phrasing, such as ""scientific basis"" or ""evidence-based rationale"", can offer nuanced variations. When employing this phrase, ensure that claims are appropriately supported by credible sources, avoiding overstatements of the level of scientific support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Scientific basis

Emphasizes the underlying scientific principles or evidence, slightly different structural emphasis.

Evidence-based rationale

Highlights the role of evidence in creating a rational basis. More specific on "evidence".

Research-supported justification

Focuses on justification that stems directly from research findings, limiting scope to research.

Scientifically valid premise

Highlights validity, but it is more rigid.

Empirical grounding

Implies a foundation based on observation or experiment, more technical terminology.

Theoretical underpinnings

Focuses on the theoretical aspects rather than practical applications, narrower meaning.

Rational basis in science

Re-orders the words for a slightly different emphasis; expands to include "in science".

Validated scientific principle

Centers on validated science; limited scope. More focus on validation.

Sound scientific reasoning

Highlights the quality and logic of the reasoning; expands from foundation to reasoning.

Substantiated by science

Emphasizes the act of substantiation through scientific means, less on foundational aspect.

FAQs

What does "scientific foundation" mean?

The "scientific foundation" refers to the underlying scientific principles, research, and evidence that support a particular theory, concept, or practice.

How can I use "scientific foundation" in a sentence?

You might say, "The new policy lacks a solid "scientific foundation", raising concerns about its effectiveness." You can find more examples above.

What is an alternative to "scientific foundation"?

Alternatives include "scientific basis", "evidence-based rationale", or "research-supported justification", depending on the specific context.

Why is a "scientific foundation" important?

A "scientific foundation" ensures that decisions, policies, and practices are based on reliable and valid evidence, increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes and minimizing potential risks.