the foundational principle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the foundational principle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a basic or essential idea that serves as the basis for a system, theory, or belief. Example: "In our discussion of ethics, we must first establish the foundational principle that guides our moral decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It is about precedent, and the foundational principle of the guaranteed contract – something that the players have fought long and hard to keep sacrosanct, something they watched their counterparts in the NFLPA compromise all too easily in their last round of collective bargaining, and something that should be found in far more places in our society than our just our playing fields.

The Guardian - Sport

Although liberals may oppose the Supreme Court's decision, in truth the foundational principle of neutrality set forth in the ruling will make it harder for religious conservatives (including those on the court) to argue for the constitutionality of school prayer and other state-sponsored support of religion.

The New York Times

The most basic aim of moral philosophy, and so also of the Groundwork, is, in Kant's view, to "seek out" the foundational principle of a metaphysics of morals.

SEP

He argues that empathy, particularly the vicarious sharing of the sympathetic feelings of an observed agent toward the target of his or her actions, should be conceived of as the foundational principle of moral judgments.

SEP

The foundational principle of this is to select a set of variable combinations from a number of scenarios while it is still adequate to build the relationship among the independent variables and the response at a certain confidence level.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

But what should the foundational principle be?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

These are the foundational principles of the Earth Statement.

The Guardian

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, called the law "abhorrent to the foundational principles" of the country.

The New York Times - Health

"It established the foundational principles for how you manage convicts," he said, "to get the most work from them with the least possible investment of public funds".

The New York Times - Arts

Through its mishandling of this issue, the IOC has departed from the foundational principles of the World Anti-Doping Code to which the governments of the world and all stakeholders in the Olympic Movement have committed.

The Guardian - Sport

In the case of terrorism, however, it can be argued that the foundational principles of a free and democratic society take precedence over a principle protecting a particular administration and political institution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the foundational principle", ensure it's followed by a clear explanation or application of that principle to provide context and understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "the foundational principle" to describe something trivial or self-evident. Reserve it for principles that genuinely underpin a complex system or idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the foundational principle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a core concept or idea upon which something is based, providing a point of reference for further discussion. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

11%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the foundational principle" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that identifies a core concept or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It's most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business settings, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing a clear explanation of the principle's relevance. While alternatives exist, such as "the fundamental principle" or "the core principle", the choice depends on the specific emphasis you wish to convey. Avoiding overuse in trivial contexts will help maintain the phrase's impact and authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the fundamental principle

Replaces "foundational" with "fundamental", emphasizing the basic and essential nature of the principle.

the basic principle

Substitutes "foundational" with "basic", highlighting the simplicity and necessity of the principle.

the core principle

Replaces "foundational" with "core", stressing the central importance of the principle.

the key principle

Substitutes "foundational" with "key", emphasizing the critical and crucial nature of the principle.

the central tenet

Replaces "principle" with "tenet", suggesting a belief or doctrine that is held as true.

the underlying principle

Replaces "foundational" with "underlying", highlighting the principle's role as a base or support.

the governing principle

Emphasizes that the principle guides or controls actions or decisions.

the primary principle

Replaces "foundational" with "primary", stressing the principle's importance in a hierarchy.

the bedrock principle

Substitutes "foundational" with "bedrock", emphasizing the solid and unshakeable nature of the principle.

the cornerstone principle

Replaces "foundational" with "cornerstone", suggesting that the principle is essential for building something.

FAQs

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

To effectively use "the foundational principle", introduce it as a core concept that explains or governs a larger system, theory, or idea. Ensure that the principle is clearly defined and its relevance is immediately apparent to the reader.

What are some alternatives to "the foundational principle"?

Some alternatives include "the fundamental principle", "the basic principle", or "the core principle", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "the foundational principle" and "the fundamental principle"?

While both phrases are very similar, "the foundational principle" may slightly emphasize the idea of something being a base or starting point, whereas "the fundamental principle" often stresses the essential nature of the principle. In many contexts, they are interchangeable.

In what fields is "the foundational principle" most commonly used?

"The foundational principle" is frequently used in fields such as philosophy, science, law, and business when discussing core concepts, ethics, or governing ideas behind systems and theories.