What is foundation? Pronunciation and usage in English

foundation means . Learn how to pronounce and use foundation through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of foundation

foundationnoun

/faʊnˈdeɪʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of foundation

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "foundation" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˌfounˈdeɪʃən/ (stress on the second syllable)

Let's break that down further:

  1. "foun": This sounds like "fun" but with a short "u" sound. Think of the word "found." It's a relatively quick, unstressed syllable.

  2. "de": This is pronounced like the word "day."

  3. "shun": This is the tricky part. It sounds like "shun" as in "sun," but with a slightly more drawn-out vowel sound. It's a bit like saying "shun" with a bit more emphasis on the "un" part.

Putting it together:

It sounds a bit like: “Foon-DAY-shun”

Here’s a resource that can help you hear it:

Important Note: There’s a less common, older pronunciation that is sometimes heard, especially in British English, where the stress is on the first syllable: /ˈfoundeɪʃən/. However, the second-syllable stress is now overwhelmingly the standard in American English.

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Usage and examples with the word foundation in English

Let's break down how to use the word "foundation" in English. It's a really versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Literal – Physical Structure:

  • Definition: The base or groundwork of a building, structure, or object.
  • Examples:
    • “The foundation of the house was cracked after the earthquake.”
    • “We poured the concrete foundation for the new garage.”
    • “He meticulously inspected the foundation to ensure it was sound.”

2. Figurative – Basis or Support:

This is where "foundation" gets really interesting and is used most often. It means the basic principles, principles, concepts, or beliefs that support something.

  • a) General Support: Indicates something is built on a strong basis.

    • "Education is the foundation of a successful society." (Meaning: A strong education system is crucial.)
    • "Honesty is the foundation of any good relationship." (Meaning: Honesty is the key to a healthy relationship.)
    • "Her success is built on a solid foundation of hard work."

  • b) Building/Creating Something: Suggests establishing a core, starting point.

    • “We need to lay a strong foundation for our business before expanding.” (Meaning: We need to establish a strong base – strategy, finances, etc.)
    • “The therapist helped the patient build a foundation for emotional well-being.” (Meaning: The therapist helped the patient create a base of healthy coping mechanisms.)
    • “The artist started with a bold foundation of color.” (Meaning: The artist began with the fundamental color choices.)

  • c) In Organizations/Institutions: Refers to the core values, mission, and structure.

    • “The foundation of the hospital is dedicated to providing free healthcare.” (The hospital's mission is….)
    • “The company’s foundation is based on customer satisfaction.” (The company’s core principle is…)

3. Figurative – Emotional & Psychological (Less Common, but Important):

  • Definition: Refers to a person's core beliefs, values, and experiences that shape their personality and how they see the world.
  • Example: "His childhood experiences formed the foundation of his pessimistic outlook." (Meaning: His past shaped his negative perspective.)

4. As a Noun Phrase (Common Usage):

  • "A strong foundation for success" – Referring to the principles or elements that contribute to success.
  • “She sought a foundation of self-acceptance.” – Finding acceptance of oneself as a base.

Key Things to Remember:

  • Context is crucial: The meaning of “foundation” depends heavily on how it’s used in a sentence.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the meaning, consider using synonyms like: basis, groundwork, core, principles, roots, support, starting point.

Resources for More Examples:

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  • Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with, or a situation where you want to use "foundation"?

Synonyms for the word foundation

Idioms of the word foundation

shake/rock the foundations of something | shake/rock something to its foundations
to cause people to question their basic beliefs about something
  • This issue has shaken the foundations of French politics.
  • an event which rocked the foundations of British politics
  • The scandal rocked the legal establishment to its foundations.

Practice with vocabulary foundation

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The successful implementation of the new policy requires a strong _______ in data analysis.
  2. Before construction could begin, extensive geological surveys were conducted to determine the stability of the site's _______.
  3. The team's immediate priority was to lay the _______ for the project by securing initial funding and resources.
  4. His argument, while eloquently presented, lacked a solid _______ in factual evidence.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following terms could refer to the physical base of a large structure, ensuring its stability? a) Superstructure b) Pedestal c) Foundation d) Footing

  2. Which word(s) best describe the underlying principles or essential facts that form the basis of a belief system or theory? a) Hypothesis b) Tenets c) Foundation d) Conjecture

  3. When an entity is primarily established to manage an endowment and distribute funds for charitable or educational purposes, it is typically called a: a) Conglomerate b) Foundation c) Proprietorship d) Collective

  4. Developing strong communication skills is a crucial ________ for successful leadership and effective team collaboration. a) Precursor b) Cornerstone c) Foundation d) Prerequisite

  5. The initial planning and preparatory work for the new product launch are often referred to as the: a) Aftermath b) Groundwork c) Debriefing d) Blueprint

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Understanding the core concepts of statistics provides the essential underpinning for advanced data analysis. Rewrite using "foundation":

  2. Original: A charitable organization was established to support arts education in underserved communities. Rewrite using "foundation":

  3. Original: Building a strong foundation of trust is paramount for any successful long-term partnership. Rewrite without using "foundation" or related forms, using a suitable replacement word:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. foundation
  2. foundation
  3. groundwork (or preparations)
  4. basis (or substance)

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Foundation, d) Footing
  2. b) Tenets, c) Foundation
  3. b) Foundation
  4. b) Cornerstone, c) Foundation, d) Prerequisite
  5. b) Groundwork

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Understanding the core concepts of statistics provides the essential foundation for advanced data analysis.
  2. A foundation was established to support arts education in underserved communities.
  3. Building a strong cornerstone of trust is paramount for any successful long-term partnership.

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