What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cornerstone
Example
Honesty is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship. [cornerstone: noun]
Example
The new policy is the cornerstone of our company's growth strategy. [cornerstone: noun]
basis
Example
The study of grammar is the basis for learning any language. [basis: noun]
Example
We made our decision on the basis of the available evidence. [basis: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Basis is more commonly used than cornerstone in everyday language. Basis is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cornerstone is less common and tends to be used in more formal or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cornerstone and basis?
While cornerstone is generally considered more formal than basis, both words can be used in a variety of formality levels depending on the context.
