set the foundations for

USAGE SUMMARY

'set the foundations for' is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used when describing the beginning of a process, for example: "The training program set the foundations for our employees to develop new skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The answer is "yes", if you're looking to set the foundations for major brand expansion.

The Guardian - Tech

More importantly today, though, was that those two teams set the foundations for one of the most competitive Seleção teams ever.

The Guardian - Sport

Looking back, it seems fair to say that Ranieri – who earned the nickname "The Tinkerman" for his player rotation at Stamford Bridge – set the foundations for the success that followed under Jose Mourinho.

Independent

The nature of the coalition agreement has meant we were able to set the foundations for a stable five-year government that will deliver many of the priorities the Liberal Democrats have long supported".

The Guardian

The institute was established in 2002 to build on Stanford's leadership in stem cell science and to set the foundations for the creation of a new field of science: regenerative medicine.

Stanford University

The principles of cancer immunoediting have set the foundations for understanding the dual host-protective and tumour sculpting actions of immunity on cancer and establishing the basis for novel individualized cancer immunotherapies.

Current Opinion in Immunology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"April set the foundation for this team," Foudy said.

The New York Times - Sports

Retiring star players often set the foundation for future success.

The New York Times - Sports

We're doing the right thing, which is to set the foundation for peace and freedom".

The New York Times

That's what's really going to set the foundation for the rest of my life".

The New York Times - Sports

A subsequent big loosening in monetary policy has set the foundation for a strong recovery in 2004.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set the foundations for" when you want to emphasize the preparatory aspect of an action. This phrase works well in contexts where future success relies on present groundwork.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the subject is acted upon, such as "The foundations were set for the project". Instead, use an active voice construction like "The team set the foundations for the project" for more direct and impactful writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set the foundations for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the establishment of a basis or groundwork for future development or success. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set the foundations for" is a commonly used phrase that signifies establishing a groundwork for future success. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is used across diverse contexts such as news, science, and business, with a neutral to formal register. To ensure effective writing, use this phrase to underscore the preparatory actions taken to enable future progress. Alternative phrases include "lay the groundwork for" and "pave the way for", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lay the groundwork for

This phrase emphasizes the preparatory actions taken to enable future success, similar to setting a foundation.

pave the way for

This alternative suggests creating a clear path or opportunity for something to happen.

establish the basis for

Focuses on creating a fundamental principle or reason that supports later developments.

create the framework for

Highlights the creation of a structured system or plan that supports future growth.

build the platform for

Emphasizes the creation of a stable and supportive structure for future activities.

prepare the ground for

This alternative is more figurative, suggesting readiness and anticipation for future events.

form the infrastructure for

Highlights the creation of basic systems and facilities needed for an organization or system to operate.

engineer the setup for

Stresses a deliberate and planned arrangement to achieve a specific outcome.

originate the plan for

This alternative emphasizes the initial creation of a strategy, scheme, or method.

initiate the design for

Focuses on beginning the process of planning and creating something new.

FAQs

How can I use "set the foundations for" in a sentence?

You can use "set the foundations for" to describe actions that prepare for future success, such as: "The new policies "set the foundations for" economic growth".

What phrases are similar to "set the foundations for"?

Similar phrases include "lay the groundwork for", "pave the way for", and "establish the basis for". Each suggests establishing a base for something else.

Is it better to say "set the foundation for" or "set the foundations for"?

While both are understandable, "set the foundations for" is more common and implies a broader, more comprehensive preparation. "Set the foundation for" might suggest a singular, specific base.

What's the difference between "set the stage for" and "set the foundations for"?

"Set the stage for" implies creating a scenario or context, while "set the foundations for" suggests building a structural or fundamental base. The former is about creating conditions, the latter is about establishing a solid starting point.