were fundamentally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were fundamentally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the essential nature or underlying principles of something in the past. Example: "The theories proposed by the scientists were fundamentally flawed, leading to incorrect conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"They were fundamentally sound.

The New York Times - Sports

Such ties were fundamentally personal in nature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We know the Macedonians were fundamentally Greeks.

Yale University

So there were, fundamentally, two competing views of Simenon.

The New Yorker

But Abbott claimed the two cases were "fundamentally different".

The Guardian

Yet the jobs they were doing were fundamentally the same.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I don't think the helmets were fundamentally a problem.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"That's fundamentally flawed".

The New York Times

We're fundamentally hampered".

The New York Times

It is fundamentally unfair".

The New York Times

Saul was fundamentally sound.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were fundamentally" to emphasize the underlying nature or essential characteristic of something in the past. It adds weight to your statement and highlights the core aspect you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "were fundamentally" when a simpler phrase like "were basically" or "were essentially" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were fundamentally" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically emphasizing the underlying or essential nature of a subject in the past. Ludwig examples show it qualifying adjectives or entire clauses to highlight a core characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

26%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were fundamentally" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to emphasize the essential nature or underlying principles of a subject in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its strong presence across news, academic, and scientific sources signifies its versatility in formal and neutral contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the core aspect you intend to highlight, and remain mindful of potential alternatives for situations where a less emphatic expression might be more appropriate. This careful consideration ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were essentially

Emphasizes the basic or intrinsic nature, similar to "were fundamentally" but with a slightly different nuance.

were basically

Indicates the main or essential point, closely related to "were fundamentally" but more informal.

were intrinsically

Highlights the inherent quality or nature of something, offering a more formal alternative to "were fundamentally".

were at heart

Focuses on the core or central aspect, providing a more figurative alternative.

were in essence

Stresses the essential nature of something, similar in meaning but slightly more formal.

were primarily

Indicates the main or chief aspect, offering a slightly different focus than "were fundamentally".

were chiefly

Highlights the principal or most important element, similar to "were primarily".

were at their core

Emphasizes the central or most important part, providing a more descriptive alternative.

were in their nature

Focuses on the inherent characteristics, offering a more direct and simple alternative.

were at the root

Highlights the origin or cause, providing a slightly different perspective than "were fundamentally".

FAQs

How do I use "were fundamentally" in a sentence?

Use "were fundamentally" to describe the essential nature or underlying principles of something in the past. For example, "The issues "were fundamentally" different from what we expected."

What can I say instead of "were fundamentally"?

You can use alternatives like "were essentially", "were basically", or "were intrinsically" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was fundamentally" instead of "were fundamentally"?

No, "was fundamentally" is used with singular subjects, while "were fundamentally" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The problem "was fundamentally" different," but "The problems "were fundamentally" different."

What's the difference between "were fundamentally" and "are fundamentally"?

"Were fundamentally" refers to something that was true in the past, while "are fundamentally" refers to something that is true in the present. For example, "The rules "were fundamentally" different in the past, but now they "are fundamentally" the same."