shaping the backbone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shaping the backbone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the development or formation of a fundamental structure or core aspect of something, such as an organization or system. Example: "The new policies are shaping the backbone of our company's culture, ensuring that we prioritize collaboration and innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Phylogenetic studies have identified the major lineages shaping the backbone of the fungal tree of life [ 7, 8, 4] but the placement of many taxa at and below the class level remains uncertain.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Outsiders who are not "German," especially the Muslims who are seen as unable to assimilate into the Christian culture that shapes the backbone of traditional German society, are sources of fear for national conservatives who want to maintain the German national identity and traditional image of family (Bebnowski 2015: 5 11).

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

To understand the evolving music scene in Johannesburg is to understand the township life and struggle, and the important role the taxi drivers continue to play in shaping the musical backbone of this tumultuous country.

Vice

In this part, you will be shaping the tail and the backbone.

WikiHow

Three subunits (C, I, and T) located on the myofibrillar thin (actin) filament of striated (skeletal and cardiac) muscle shape the backbone of the troponin complex.

BioMed Research International

The parametric studies show that the boundary conditions have a great influence on the shape of the backbone curves, the hardening spring effect decreases for clamped FG plate.

Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Modern Processes

"Women form the backbone of countries' economies.

The Guardian

Moreover, through the exploitation of a DNA proximity network, a series of conserved "DNA backbones" were found to shape the evolution of the genome structure, with the rest of the genome experiencing rearrangements.

Genome Biology and Evolution

To do so, they added back a small amount of the NOE and RDC data, but just in the parts of the analysis that deduce the shape of the general backbone of the protein rather then the position of all the individual atoms in each amino acid side chain.

Science Magazine

This allows Matt to accommodate structural distortion where the protein shapes become increasingly divergent along the backbone.

Bioinformatics

Finally, on a personal note, I think chemical probing with DMS (revealing the accessibility of the Watson-Crick positions) would add very convincing evidence to the Shape data that reflect only the backbone.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shaping the backbone" when you want to emphasize the active process of forming the essential structure or core of something. Be mindful of the context; it's often used in discussions about systems, organizations, or even abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "shaping the backbone" when referring to superficial changes or minor adjustments. This phrase is most effective when describing fundamental, structural impacts rather than cosmetic ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shaping the backbone" functions as a gerund phrase, often used to describe an ongoing process of forming or influencing the fundamental structure of something. This is reflected in the provided examples, where it describes the development of fungal lineages or the evolving music scene.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shaping the backbone" functions as a gerund phrase indicating the process of forming or influencing a fundamental structure. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is grammatically correct and finds use in both scientific and news contexts. While several alternative phrases exist, such as "forming the foundation" or "building the core", the choice depends on the specific nuance desired. When employing "shaping the backbone", ensure that it accurately reflects the active and significant nature of the structural changes being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forming the foundation

Replaces "shaping" with "forming" and "backbone" with "foundation", focusing on the base or groundwork.

building the core

Substitutes "shaping" with "building" and "backbone" with "core", emphasizing the construction of the central element.

defining the essence

Replaces the entire phrase with a focus on identifying the most important qualities.

molding the infrastructure

Uses "molding" instead of "shaping" and "infrastructure" instead of "backbone", implying a structural formation.

developing the framework

Replaces "shaping" with "developing" and "backbone" with "framework", emphasizing the creation of a supporting structure.

establishing the groundwork

Focuses on setting up the initial steps for something substantial.

influencing the structure

Shifts the focus to the act of influencing rather than directly forming the structure.

creating the basis

Highlights the creation of a fundamental base or starting point.

fashioning the framework

Implies a careful and deliberate formation of a structure.

constructing the base

Emphasizes the physical act of building a base or foundation.

FAQs

How can I use "shaping the backbone" in a sentence?

You can use "shaping the backbone" to describe the process of forming the core structure or essential elements of something. For example, "The new policies are "shaping the backbone" of our company's culture."

What's a good alternative to "shaping the backbone"?

Alternatives include "forming the foundation", "building the core", or "defining the essence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "shaping the backbone" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "shaping the backbone" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in contexts related to business, science, or policy. However, ensure the tone aligns with the specific audience and purpose.

What does "shaping the backbone" imply about the process being described?

"Shaping the backbone" suggests an active and influential process that is fundamental to the overall structure or function of something. It indicates a deliberate effort to mold or form the essential components.