underlying foundations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'underlying foundations' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to the basic principles, laws, or facts that support a structure or activity. For example, "The success of the project was due to the strong underlying foundations established by the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Feminist philosophers of biology are deeply concerned about the wholesale application of this model of sexual selection without empirically testing its underlying assumptions and investigating the relationship between the underlying foundations of the model and cultural assumptions regarding gender.

SEP

The presence of soft clays underlying foundations has been responsible for failures in several geotechnical and geo-environmental projects.

Applied Clay Science

Solidify underlying foundations.

Forbes

The essential underlying foundations of Early Intervention (EI), in which parents/family play a critical role in their child's development, leads us to conclude that their contribution assessing early detection of problems is fundamental.

Early Human Development

Madihha Ahussain, the Muslim Advocates' special counsel for anti-Muslim bigotry, questioned whether Facebook's definition of white nationalist content "will include expressions of anti-Muslim, anti-Black, anti-Jewish, anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ sentiment – all underlying foundations of white nationalism".

The Guardian - Tech

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the field of smart (and) sustainable cities in terms of its underlying foundations and assumptions, state of the art research and development, research opportunities and horizons, emerging scientific and technological trends, and future planning practices.

Sustainable Cities and Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The PC scenario produced significantly colder temperatures within the ACE and underlying foundation soils.

Cold Regions Science and Technology

The procedures proposed take account of higher vibration modes, water compressibility and flexibility of underlying foundation of the structure.

Ocean Engineering

It is an organizational ethos which predicates, facilitates and complements Denver's unselfish brand of basketball play on the court, and is the underlying foundation upon which their recent success was built.

Forbes

The typical cross section of a rigid wall with a reinforced backfill and underlying foundation strata is shown in Fig. 1, in which 'b' denotes the roadway width, and 'H' denotes the wall height.

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

A qualitative content analysis was used to investigate the science mobile app research for its mobile app design, underlying theoretical foundations, and students' measured outcomes.

Computers & Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts like societal values or ideologies, use "underlying foundations" to emphasize the fundamental principles that support them. For example, "The underlying foundations of democracy include freedom of speech and equal rights."

Common error

Avoid using "underlying foundations" when referring to merely superficial or temporary support. The phrase should denote core, essential elements, not just transient assistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying foundations" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the fundamental principles or support systems upon which something is built. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

17%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underlying foundations" refers to the essential principles or support systems on which something is built. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in writing. Although the phrase is not considered extremely common, it appears with regularity across various professional fields, including science, news and media, and formal business contexts. While the word “foundations” suggests an underlying element, using “underlying foundations” serves to provide emphasis on the fundamental aspect of a structure. When writing, ensure that you are referring to a core principle and not a surface level support. Alternatives such as "basic principles" or "fundamental tenets" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foundational elements

Reorders the words while keeping the meaning very similar to the original phrase.

central underpinnings

Uses synonym that stresses a supporting role or basis.

root principles

Highlights the very beginning principles on which something is based.

basic principles

Focuses on the elemental rules or guidelines, shifting from a structural image to a conceptual one.

basic framework

Highlights the structure that provides support or direction, changing 'foundations' to a 'framework'.

fundamental tenets

Highlights core beliefs or doctrines, emphasizing a more philosophical or ideological base.

core components

Emphasizes the essential parts that make up a whole, focusing on tangible elements rather than abstract principles.

essential groundwork

Stresses the preliminary work necessary for future success, highlighting the preparatory aspect.

supporting infrastructure

Highlights the systems and facilities that enable something to function, focusing on practical support.

primary constituents

Highlights the key elements or ingredients, emphasizing composition over structural support.

FAQs

How can I use "underlying foundations" in a sentence?

You can use "underlying foundations" to refer to the basic principles or support on which something is built. For instance, "A strong ethical framework forms the underlying foundations of their business practices".

What are some alternatives to using "underlying foundations"?

Alternatives include "basic principles", "fundamental tenets", or "core components", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "underlying foundations"?

While "foundations" inherently implies something that underlies, the phrase "underlying foundations" can be used for emphasis or clarity, particularly when contrasting with more superficial aspects.

How does "underlying foundations" differ from "surface level support"?

"Underlying foundations" refer to the core, essential elements that provide stability, whereas "surface level support" refers to temporary or less critical assistance that doesn't affect the fundamental structure.