some foundation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some foundation" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a basis or starting point for something. For example, "My success was built on some foundation I established in high school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This has some foundation.

The Economist

The bravado had some foundation.

The New York Times - Sports

But there is also some foundation.

The Economist

It is a thesis with some foundation.

The Guardian - Sport

This is not without some foundation.

The Guardian - Sport

The jibe, as ever, had some foundation in reality.

The Guardian - Sport

There may be some foundation to Indians' accusations of hypocrisy by the West.

The New York Times

The company plans to fit these sniffers on airborne drones, too.At least this technology has some foundation in science.

The Economist

What was I supposed to do? Leave office and sit around some foundation signing checks all day?

The New York Times

Their grievances have some foundation bearing in mind Nani, almost certainly, did not connect with Alvaro Arbeloa deliberately.

The Guardian - Sport

The results provided some foundation to improve its thermal performance under cross wind condition.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "some foundation", ensure that the context clarifies the nature and strength of the underlying basis you are referring to. Consider adding descriptive adjectives to provide more precision.

Common error

Avoid implying that "some foundation" equates to complete validity. It merely suggests a partial or initial basis, not necessarily a conclusive one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some foundation" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'has some foundation') or following a preposition. It describes the existence of a basis or underlying rationale, as Ludwig examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

31%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "some foundation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that suggests the existence of a basis or rationale for something. Ludwig confirms that "some foundation" functions as a noun phrase indicating that a claim or idea has some degree of validity. It is most commonly found in news and media, and science, and the phrase is generally neutral. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the nature and strength of the underlying basis, avoid overstating its significance, and consider alternatives like "certain basis" or "legitimate rationale" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certain basis

Emphasizes the existence of a definite basis, similar to "some foundation".

definite grounding

Implies a solid and clear basis, differing in word choice from "some foundation".

particular rationale

Highlights the reasoning behind something, akin to having "some foundation".

specific justification

Focuses on the explicit reasons or evidence supporting something, comparable to "some foundation".

limited justification

Suggests that the reasoning or support is present but perhaps not fully comprehensive. This is different from the plain meaning of "some foundation" where the quantity or quality are neutral.

underlying rationale

Focuses on the reasoning that may not be immediately apparent. Again, this adds nuances that are not present in "some foundation".

certain justification

Implies an assured and reliable justification or reason. This is different from the plain meaning of "some foundation" where the quantity or quality are neutral.

underlying cause

Highlights the factor that ultimately leads to a situation or outcome. This is different from the plain meaning of "some foundation" where the quantity or quality are neutral.

adequate basis

Specifies that the basis is sufficient for a specific purpose.

legitimate rationale

Emphasizes the lawful and rightful reasoning behind something.

FAQs

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

You can use "some foundation" to indicate that there's a basis or rationale for something, like, "His claims have "some foundation" in reality".

What does it mean when something has "some foundation"?

It means there's a degree of truth, justification, or underlying reason to it. It doesn't necessarily mean it's entirely correct or proven, but there's "some rationale" supporting it.

What are some alternatives to saying "some foundation"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "certain basis", "legitimate rationale", or "adequate basis" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "some foundation" or "a foundation"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a foundation" implies a more substantial or complete basis, while ""some foundation"" suggests a partial or initial basis. The better choice depends on the specific context.