the foundational idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the foundational idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the core concept or principle that serves as the basis for a theory, argument, or project. Example: "The foundational idea behind our research is that sustainable practices can lead to long-term economic benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's an inelegant phrase that has been slow to take hold, perhaps because the foundational idea of Rwanda's post-genocide order is to emphasize an inclusive national identity, and to treat Hutu and Tutsi as distinctions that belong more to the past.

The New Yorker

The foundational idea, if there is one, is to limit your opponents scoring chances by denying them the ball.

Huffington Post

While human rights are also concerned with these issues, their specific starting point is the foundational idea of inherent dignity, worth and equal rights of all humans.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

The foundational idea of Gestalt therapy is that adults can choose how to lead their lives and they are at all times responsible for their own choices and actions.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Its major themes include introductions to the fundamentals of geometrical optics, classical electromagnetic waves and the interference effects associated with those waves, and the foundational ideas of the quantum theory of light.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first volume, published in 1987 — the same year as "The Closing of the American Mind," Allan Bloom's attack on efforts to diversify the academic canon — made Mr. Bernal a hero among Afrocentrists, a pariah among conservative scholars and the star witness at dozens of sometimes raucous academic panel discussions about how to teach the foundational ideas of Western culture.

The New York Times - Arts

The foundational ideas and assumptions of a curriculum become actualized within this give-and-take relationship because both components of the framework (i.e., teacher and curriculum) will eventually come together at a given point within the classroom.

International Journal of STEM Education

These features were used as the foundational ideas in designing a formal curriculum of primary school science that is culturally appropriate with a CHC to improve the primary science education (Hằng et al. 2016).

Asia-Pacific Science Education

The account of policy development and policy resilience directs attention to the foundational ideas and material legacies of regulatory policies at an early critical juncture of their development, and the distinct mechanisms of reproduction that resulted.

Policy and Society

It also illustrates how the foundational ideas of knowledge representation, reasoning, information access, and decision-making can be applied to facilitate the planning of more accurate and thus more effective radiation treatments.

Principles of Biomedical Informatics

Neuralink's ultimate aim may actually be the most ambitious of all three of his companies, surprisingly, and a new exploration of the foundational ideas behind Neuralink on Wait But Why goes deep within what Musk hopes to achieve by creating better, higher-bandwidth connections between our brains and computers.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the foundational idea", ensure it's followed by a clear explanation or elaboration to avoid ambiguity. Providing context will help readers understand its significance.

Common error

Avoid using "the foundational idea" without adequately explaining what it refers to. Without sufficient context, the phrase can sound vague and abstract, leaving readers unclear about the underlying concept.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the foundational idea" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the core concept or principle upon which something is based. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the foundational idea" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote the core concept or principle upon which something is based. Ludwig reports that it is grammatically correct. While relatively rare in occurrence, it appears across various contexts like Science, News & Media and Encyclopedias, and is often used to introduce essential concepts. For clarity, always provide sufficient context when using "the foundational idea" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""the core concept"" or ""the fundamental notion"" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the fundamental notion

Substitutes "foundational" with "fundamental" and "idea" with "notion", maintaining a similar meaning.

the core concept

Highlights the essential nature of the concept.

the key concept

Emphasizes the importance of the concept.

the central concept

Focuses on the centrality of the concept rather than its foundational role.

the basic principle

Replaces "idea" with "principle", emphasizing a guiding rule or tenet.

the root idea

Highlights that the idea serves as the origin of what is being discussed.

the underlying principle

Focuses on the principle that supports or influences something.

the essential element

Highlights the element that is indispensable.

the starting point

Emphasizes the initial stage from which something begins.

the basis

Shortens the phrase to the core element on which something relies.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "the foundational idea" in a sentence?

To effectively use "the foundational idea", introduce it and immediately follow with an explanation or example. This helps ensure clarity and comprehension. For instance, "The foundational idea of democracy is that power resides in the people."

What are some alternatives to using "the foundational idea"?

Alternatives to "the foundational idea" include "the core concept", "the basic principle", or "the fundamental notion" depending on the context. Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the core concept.

Is there a difference between "the foundational idea" and "the underlying principle"?

"The foundational idea" refers to the basic concept upon which something is built, while "the underlying principle" describes a rule or belief that supports a particular system or action. The foundational idea is more about inception; the underlying principle is more about sustained support.

Can "the foundational idea" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "the foundational idea" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "the main idea" or "the key concept" to maintain clarity and accessibility.