to the core

USAGE SUMMARY

"to the core" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the essential or essential elements of something. For example: "The company's culture emphasizes quality and customer satisfaction to the core."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chill you to the core".

The New York Times - Books

Fowler is letterpress to the core.

The New York Times

We are all numb to the core".

Independent

It was punk rock to the core.

The New York Times

His conviction rattled me to the core.

The New York Times

Ophuls to the core.

The New Yorker

REINMAN--Beatrice, artistic to the core.

The New York Times

It's shocked me to the core.

The Guardian - Arts

They are historical romances to the core.

The Guardian - Books

You are spin to the core.

The Guardian - Opinion

Defeat cut Brazil to the core.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to the core" to emphasize the fundamental or essential nature of something. For instance, "The issue is central "to the core" of the debate", highlighting the issue's utmost importance.

Common error

While effective, using "to the core" too frequently can diminish its impact. Vary your language with alternatives like "fundamentally", "essentially", or "at heart" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The prepositional phrase "to the core" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the quality or characteristic it describes. It highlights the fundamental or essential nature of something, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment as a correct and useful phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to the core" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to emphasize the fundamental or essential nature of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in various contexts. Its frequency is considered "very common", particularly in news and media sources. While its use is generally neutral, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives like "fundamentally" or "essentially" to maintain impact and engagement. The phrase's strength lies in its ability to convey the depth and intensity of a described quality, making it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in essence

This alternative captures the fundamental nature of something, abstracting away from the more physical imagery of a core.

intrinsically

Focuses on the inherent nature of something, similar to 'in essence' but more explicitly emphasizing inherent qualities.

fundamentally

This alternative emphasizes the basic or essential nature of something, omitting the preposition "to" and noun "core" for a simpler adverbial expression.

completely

Emphasizes the thoroughness or totality of something, indicating that something is entirely or fully of a certain kind.

at heart

While "at heart" refers to inner feelings or true nature, it changes the focus from an object's central element to a person's intrinsic character.

at its root

Emphasizes the origin or foundation of something, changing the metaphor from a central core to a root.

through and through

This phrase focuses on complete permeation or consistency, indicating that something is entirely of a certain quality.

in its depths

Refers to the deepest or most profound aspects of something, highlighting complexity and intensity.

deep down

Similar to "at heart", "deep down" relates to inner feelings and beliefs, shifting the context from inherent quality to internal disposition.

radically

Indicates a fundamental or extreme change or quality, often implying a significant departure from the norm.

FAQs

How can I use "to the core" in a sentence?

You can use "to the core" to emphasize the essential or fundamental nature of something. For example, "The company's values are embedded "to the core" of its operations" or "He's a New Yorker "through and through"".

What does "to the core" mean?

"To the core" means fundamentally, essentially, or completely. It's used to emphasize the depth or intensity of a quality or characteristic. You can say that something is "intrinsically" linked to something else.

What are some alternatives to saying "to the core"?

Alternatives include "fundamentally", "in essence", "at heart", or "through and through". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "to the core"?

While grammatically correct, "to the core" might be unsuitable in highly formal or technical contexts where a more precise term is needed. Consider whether a simpler or more direct phrase would be more effective. If you need precision, try phrases like "at its root".