the foundation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the foundation of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about something that provides a basis for or causes something else to exist. For example, "The foundation of our strong relationship is trust and understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is the foundation of Battlefield Hardline".

Independent

— threaten the foundation of this city.

The New York Times

It is the foundation of the medium.

The New York Times

The foundation of modern society.

The New York Times - Books

4.1 The Foundation of MERITT.

Stanford University

The foundation of carbonara was now constructed.

The New York Times - Food

Majority rule is the foundation of democracy.

The New York Times

("Energy is the foundation of national security").

The New York Times

"That is the foundation of the C.Y.O.

The New York Times

Trust is the foundation of banking.

The Guardian - Business

The foundation of civilized life is control".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the foundation of", ensure that the relationship between the foundation and what it supports is clear to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the foundation of" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "basis", "cornerstone", or "root" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the foundation of" functions as a noun phrase acting as a determiner and noun, often followed by another noun or noun phrase. It identifies the underlying base, principle, or support upon which something is built or depends, as confirmed by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the foundation of" is a versatile phrase used to denote the essential basis or groundwork for something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and very common across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. To enhance writing, be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives like "the basis of" or "the cornerstone of". By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "the foundation of" to emphasize critical support structures and relationships in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the basis of

Changes the noun from "foundation" to "basis", indicating a fundamental principle or groundwork.

the groundwork for

Replaces "foundation" with "groundwork", emphasizing preparatory work or initial stages.

the cornerstone of

Uses "cornerstone" instead of "foundation", highlighting the essential and indispensable nature.

the root of

Substitutes "foundation" with "root", focusing on the origin or source from which something grows.

the underlying principle of

Emphasizes the fundamental rule or concept that something is based on.

the core of

Replaces "foundation" with "core", highlighting the central or most important part.

the underpinning of

Uses "underpinning" to stress the support or base that something relies on.

the infrastructure for

Replaces "foundation" with "infrastructure", focusing on the basic systems and structures.

the infrastructure of

Replaces "foundation" with "infrastructure", focusing on the systems and structures.

the bedrock of

Employs "bedrock" instead of "foundation", emphasizing the solid and fundamental nature.

FAQs

How can I use "the foundation of" in a sentence?

Use "the foundation of" to indicate the basis or groundwork upon which something is built or established. For instance, "Trust is "the foundation of" any strong relationship".

What can I say instead of "the foundation of"?

You can use alternatives like "the basis of", "the cornerstone of", or "the root of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "foundation to" instead of "the foundation of"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is ""the foundation of"". Using "foundation to" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What is the difference between "the foundation of" and "the basis of"?

While both phrases are similar, ""the foundation of"" often implies a more structural or fundamental support, whereas "the basis of" can refer to a rationale or justification.