valuable background

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "valuable background" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to important or useful information or experience that provides context or insight into a subject or situation. Example: "Her extensive research provided valuable background for the project, helping the team understand the historical context."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The National Science Teachers Association has posted heaps of valuable background and context.

The New York Times

I still think much of the material provides valuable background and analysis on environmental impacts of drilling.

The New York Times

The movie introduced several phrases into general usage, most notably: 'He made him an offer he couldn't refuse.' Peter Cowie's The Godfather Book (Faber) is valuable background reading.

The Guardian - Film

She said Mr Mitchell was "a committed and erudite internationalist with a valuable background in ethics, the environment and in public works".

The Guardian - Business

Their findings have provided valuable background information for Earth- and spacecraft-based efforts to map how the content of important materials varies over the lunar surface.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But this timely book provides valuable background to the Haider question: passing nuisance or poisonous threat?In this section Big Macs A novel eye Politics first Hmm!

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The MSNBC anchor Chris Hayes, a mentor, knew her at the Center for Community Change and called her organizing background valuable, because it "teaches you to be undogmatic, to listen to people".

The New York Times

While dense and not ideally sectioned for use in the classroom, this book would be a valuable contribution to background reading for advanced high school and college students studying Darwin and Darwinism.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Our finding that (potential) investors attach importance to the financial sustainability of stakeholder management activities is especially valuable against the background of the "Enlightened Stakeholder Theory" (Jensen 2002), which argues that companies should make trade-offs between various stakeholder groups based on the principle of long-term firm value enhancement.

Business Research

When peaks corresponding to these fragments are of low intensity, however, it can be difficult to distinguish between valuable information and background noise.

BMC Genomics

In addition, extra years spent as a trainee may provide Intensivists with Pulmonary Medicine backgrounds valuable clinical experience that helps them diagnose and manage complex ICU patients more effectively than those with Internal Medicine backgrounds.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "valuable background", clearly specify what that background is relevant to. For example, instead of just stating someone has "valuable background", mention it's "valuable background for understanding the economic crisis".

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of background information. While it might be helpful, labeling every piece of context as "valuable" can dilute its impact and credibility. Reserve the term for truly significant and impactful context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "valuable background" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, serving to describe the quality or nature of the "background" information being presented. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a standard expression used to highlight the importance of specific knowledge or information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "valuable background" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe important or useful contextual information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various domains. As seen in examples from The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific journals, it's used to highlight the significance of particular knowledge or experiences. While most frequently encountered in science and news contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig, it also appears in formal business settings. To maximize clarity, specify what that "valuable background" is relevant to, and avoid overusing the phrase to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

useful context

Replaces "background" with "context", emphasizing the surrounding information.

helpful preliminary information

Substitutes "valuable" with "helpful" and "background" with a more descriptive phrase.

important contextual details

Replaces "background" with a more elaborate and specific term, highlighting significance.

significant prior knowledge

Focuses on the knowledge aspect of the background information, underlining its importance.

relevant historical data

Specifies the type of background information as historical, adding a layer of detail.

essential preparatory information

Emphasizes the preparatory role of the background knowledge

key foundational understanding

Stresses the fundamental nature of the knowledge base.

critical supporting evidence

Highlights the evidentiary role of the background, making it seem crucial.

invaluable preparatory work

Focuses on the preparatory aspect of the work and amplifies its value.

substantial grounding

Conveys a sense of well-founded preparation and knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "valuable background" in a sentence?

You can use "valuable background" to describe information that provides context or enhances understanding of a topic. For example: "Her research provided "valuable background" for the project." or "This book offers "valuable background" on the history of the region."

What are some alternatives to saying "valuable background"?

Alternatives include "useful context", "helpful preliminary information", or "important contextual details". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very valuable background"?

While not strictly incorrect, using "very valuable background" can be seen as slightly redundant. The word "valuable" already implies a high degree of worth. Consider using stronger synonyms for "background" or rephrasing the sentence for greater impact.

What makes background information "valuable"?

Background information is "valuable" when it provides critical context, clarifies complex issues, or enhances the reader's understanding of a subject. It helps to fill in the gaps and offers insight that might otherwise be missing.