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Prepositions with nouns

How to use “foundation” with prepositions

Foundation is commonly followed by of when naming the basis of something. Other prepositions may appear in different sentence structures, while some combinations are uncommon or nonstandard.

Quick answer

Common prepositions with “foundation”

The most common pattern is foundation of + thing, especially for the basis or underlying support of an idea, system, or building. Foundation for is also common when something serves as support for future development. “Foundation on,” “to foundation,” and “up foundation” are not standard combinations in current English. “Without foundation” is correct and means lacking evidence or basis.

Trust is the foundation of a strong partnership.
These skills provide the foundation for future study.
The accusation was without foundation in fact.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
foundation of + thing

Showing the basis or core part

Use foundation of to identify the essential support, basis, or underlying part of something.

Respect is the foundation of effective leadership.
Concrete forms the foundation of the bridge.
2
foundation for + purpose

Showing future support or preparation

Use foundation for when something prepares or supports later growth, work, or success.

The course gives students a foundation for advanced research.
Early savings create a foundation for financial stability.
3
without foundation

Describing claims with no basis

Without foundation means unsupported, unproven, or lacking evidence.

The rumours were without foundation and quickly disappeared.
His fears proved without foundation after the inspection.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
foundation of
Honesty is the foundation of good teamwork.
Standard expression for the basis or essential support of something.
foundation on
The policy is founded on scientific evidence.
Foundation on is generally not idiomatic as a noun phrase. English normally uses founded on with the verb found.
foundation to
The training was a foundation for her career.
Foundation to is not a standard noun pattern for this meaning. Use foundation for instead.
without foundation
The complaint was without foundation.
Correct expression meaning unsupported or baseless.
up foundation
They repaired the foundation under the house.
Up foundation is not a standard English construction with the noun foundation.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “foundation on” instead of “founded on”

The noun foundation normally takes of or for. The verb phrase is founded on.

✕ The theory has a strong foundation on data. ✓ The theory is strongly founded on data.

Using “foundation to” for purpose

Use foundation for when referring to support for future development.

✕ This course is a foundation to engineering studies. ✓ This course is a foundation for engineering studies.

Confusing noun and verb forms

Foundation is a noun. Founded is the past participle of the verb found.

✕ The company foundation in 1998. ✓ The company was founded in 1998.

Using “up foundation” as a fixed phrase

Up is not normally used directly with foundation as a standard combination.

✓ Workers strengthened the foundation.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Trust is the foundation ___ a healthy relationship.
2. The report was dismissed as being without ___.
3. The programme gives students a strong foundation ___ future work.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “foundation of” correct?

Yes. It is the most common pattern when naming the basis or core support of something.

Can I say “foundation on”?

Usually no with the noun foundation. English more often uses the verb phrase founded on.

What does “without foundation” mean?

It means unsupported, baseless, or lacking evidence.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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