serves as the cornerstone of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serves as the cornerstone of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is fundamental or essential to the foundation of a concept, idea, or system. Example: "Education serves as the cornerstone of a successful society, shaping the future of its citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is formalized in the sense that roles, relationships, and behaviours therein are prescribed in a set of rules, which serves as the cornerstone of rational-legal authority.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Just as Brady and Manning each epitomized his squad's character and offensive personality, Revis serves as the cornerstone of a team built on defense.

The New York Times - Sports

Her personal mythology serves as the cornerstone of a prevailing prejudice masquerading as adulation: at the height of feminine perfection, a woman is an asset to be flaunted and strategically weaponized less, not more, than the sum of her parts.

The New Yorker

More specifically, that's when they begin preparing gà chiên muôi ot or "fried chicken salt chili," the popular dish that serves as the cornerstone of the lucrative lunch service they've been operating in the 3rd district of Ho Chi Minh City for three decades.

The Guardian

Perhaps it is not too much of an overstatement to suggest that Bridges's 1916 masterpiece not only serves as the cornerstone of this journal, but also as a cornerstone of 20th century genetics.

Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Under the proposals, recommendations for these more active people would continue to be available but would no longer serve as the cornerstone of government nutrition information.

The New York Times

Typhoon will be an agile multi-role fighter that will serve as the cornerstone of the RAF's future fighting capability.

The Economist

Bates College Museum Founded in honor of Lewiston's most famous native, Marsden Hartley (1877-1943), the Bates College Museum of Art is the largest repository of his drawings, which serve as the cornerstone of the museum's collection.

The New York Times - Arts

Though mocked and caricatured in Private Eye, he fulfilled his role in a most intelligent way, serving as the cornerstone of Margaret's life and always placing her interests before his own.

Independent

He added: "The project started by contacting members of the Jewish community from where I grew up, and evolved into travels across the world to capture orthodox Jews who, although they live thousands of miles apart, are bound together by history, tradition and a set of values that serve as the cornerstone of the lives of many who live in today's society".

The Guardian - Arts

Introduction Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) have served as the cornerstone of long-term anticoagulant therapy.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the noun phrase following "serves as the cornerstone of" accurately reflects the foundational role you intend to convey. Clarity is key in establishing the relationship between the cornerstone and the structure it supports.

Common error

Avoid using "serves as the cornerstone of" for minor supporting elements. This phrase should be reserved for components that are truly fundamental and critical to the overall structure or concept. Do not use it for aspects that are secondary or easily replaceable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serves as the cornerstone of" functions as a linking expression to establish a hierarchical relationship, indicating that the subject is a fundamental and essential element upon which something else is built. Ludwig examples confirm its use in highlighting the foundational role of a component.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serves as the cornerstone of" is a linking phrase used to emphasize the foundational and indispensable role of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in contexts where highlighting essential components is crucial. While grammatically sound and useful for underscoring importance, it's advisable to use related alternatives to avoid repetition. Ludwig shows that this phrase appears most commonly in news, media, and scientific sources, reflecting its formal and reasoned application. Remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the fundamental nature of a component, ensuring it accurately reflects its essential role in the broader context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is fundamental to

Emphasizes the foundational importance.

is essential for

Highlights the necessity of something.

forms the basis of

Focuses on the underlying support structure.

constitutes the foundation of

Stresses the role of establishment and support.

underpins the structure of

Highlights the supportive nature.

is integral to

Highlights the necessary nature for completeness.

plays a pivotal role in

Emphasizes the importance and influence.

is the keystone of

Highlights the structural importance.

acts as the bedrock of

Highlights stability and a strong base.

is the crux of

Indicates the most important point.

FAQs

How can I use "serves as the cornerstone of" in a sentence?

This phrase connects a foundational element to a larger concept or structure. For example: "Education "serves as the cornerstone of" a successful society".

What can I say instead of "serves as the cornerstone of"?

You can use alternatives like "is fundamental to", "is essential for", or "forms the basis of" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "serves as the cornerstone of" and "is a key component of"?

"Serves as the cornerstone of" implies a foundational and indispensable role, whereas "is a key component of" suggests importance but not necessarily fundamentality. The former is more critical and less easily substituted.

Is it correct to say something "serves as a cornerstone" without "of"?

While grammatically acceptable, omitting "of" changes the meaning slightly. "Serves as a cornerstone" often refers to something that is simply a major or essential part, whereas "serves as the cornerstone of" specifically denotes the foundational element supporting a broader structure or concept.