sound footing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sound footing" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means a strong and stable position or foundation. You can use it to describe various situations or concepts, such as: - "After months of hard work, our company is now on a sound footing and ready for success." - "The new leadership team helped bring the struggling organization back to a sound footing." - "Before making a big investment, it's important to ensure that the company is on a sound footing." - "The charity's financial statements show that they are on a sound footing and able to continue their important work." - "The politician's controversial comments put their campaign on shaky ground, but a strong apology put them back on sound footing with voters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His private life, meanwhile, is on less sound footing.

The New York Times - Magazine

"All in all, I think the business is on sound footing.

The New York Times

Most Venezuelans simply do not believe that their banks have been put on a sound footing.

The Economist

"That said, it's important that the industry proceed on a sound footing.

The Guardian

The US was his "salvation" and put his business on a sound footing.

The Guardian - Arts

By the time he left, in 1977, the theater, which had been struggling financially, was once again on sound footing.

The New York Times

However, the business secretary underlined that future plans depended on putting Royal Mail on a sound footing.

The Guardian

Had the administration taken that step — taking over the insolvent banks, firing management and recapitalizing them on sound footing — much subsequent history would have been different.

The New York Times

A sound footing Founded in 1900, the Philadelphia Orchestra first achieved international fame under the leadership of the brilliant and eccentric British-born conductor Leopold Stokowski.

Independent

Relatively modest changes, such as raising the taxable earnings base slightly, would be sufficient to put the program on a sound footing virtually forever.

The New York Times

On Thursday, Mr. Ravitch convened a commission to report by the end of the year on ways to put the system on a sound footing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sound footing" when you want to emphasize that something is built upon a stable, reliable, and secure foundation. It's especially useful in contexts involving finances, business, or abstract concepts needing a firm basis.

Common error

Avoid using "sound footing" in very casual or informal conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday settings. Opt for simpler phrases like "doing well" or "stable" in less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sound footing" functions as a noun phrase, often used after a verb like "be", "put", or "place". It describes the state of being stable, secure, or well-established. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage, exemplified by sentences discussing businesses, economies, and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sound footing" signifies a stable, secure, and reliable foundation, frequently employed across diverse domains such as news, business, and even scientific discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage. Primarily functioning as a noun phrase, it serves to assure and inform about the stability and readiness for progress of a subject. While its register leans toward professional and neutral contexts, overuse in informal settings should be avoided. Alternatives like "stable foundation" or "firm basis" can provide nuanced variations. When aiming to emphasize a solid and dependable base, "sound footing" remains a robust and appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stable foundation

Emphasizes the firmness and reliability of the base.

firm basis

Focuses on the solid and dependable nature of the underlying support.

solid ground

Suggests a secure and reliable position, both literally and figuratively.

secure position

Highlights the safety and stability of the current standing.

strong foundation

Underscores the robustness and resilience of the base.

well-established

Indicates that something is firmly in place and recognized.

financially secure

Specifically refers to financial stability and security.

economically viable

Highlights the ability to sustain economic activity.

on track

Suggests progress and stability toward a goal.

doing well

A more general term indicating positive progress and stability.

FAQs

How can I use "sound footing" in a sentence?

You can use "sound footing" to describe something that is stable or secure. For example, "The company is now on a "sound footing" after restructuring".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "sound footing"?

Some alternatives to "sound footing" include "stable foundation", "firm basis", or "solid ground", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "sound footing" or "solid footing"?

Both "sound footing" and "solid footing" are acceptable and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is "sound footing" most commonly used?

"Sound footing" is frequently used in business, finance, and economics to describe the stability or health of an organization or system. It can also be used in more abstract contexts to describe the strength of an argument or idea.