How to Use “Be Founded on + Noun” in IELTS Writing and Speaking?

The phrase “Be Founded On + Noun” is a valuable structure for IELTS candidates to express the basis or foundation of something. This expression frequently appears in academic and formal contexts, making it particularly useful for the IELTS Writing and Speaking tasks. Let’s explore its usage and how you can incorporate it effectively in your IELTS preparation.

Understanding “Be Founded on + Noun”

The structure “be founded on + noun” means that something is based on or established upon a particular principle, idea, or concept. It’s commonly used to discuss the fundamental aspects of theories, organizations, or beliefs.

Examples:

1. The company’s success is founded on customer satisfaction.
2. Their relationship was founded on mutual trust and respect.
3. Modern democracy is founded on the principle of equal rights for all citizens.
4. Scientific theories are often founded on empirical evidence.
5. The legal system is founded on the concept of justice for all.

In each of these examples, the phrase introduces the core idea or principle upon which something is built or established.

Be Founded on Noun Concept

Grammar and Usage in IELTS

Formula and Structure

The basic structure is:

[Subject] + [be verb] + founded on + [noun/noun phrase]

• The subject can be a singular or plural noun, or a gerund (-ing form).
• The be verb should agree with the subject (is, are, was, were).
• The noun or noun phrase after “founded on” represents the foundation or basis.

Application in IELTS Writing

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you can use this structure to discuss societal issues, organizational principles, or historical developments. For example:

“Many argue that a stable society is founded on strong family values. While this traditional view has merit, I believe that societal stability is also founded on economic equality and educational opportunities.”

This usage demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of language, which can contribute to a higher band score in the Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range criteria.

Use in IELTS Speaking

For the Speaking test, you can employ this phrase to express your opinions on various topics:

Examiner: “What do you think makes a good friendship?”
Candidate: “I believe a good friendship is founded on trust and mutual understanding. Without these elements, it’s difficult to maintain a strong relationship.”

Using such expressions can enhance your performance in the Lexical Resource and Grammatical Accuracy aspects of the Speaking test.

Advanced Usage and Variations

To achieve higher band scores in IELTS, consider these more advanced applications:

1. Passive voice: “The organization’s principles were founded on the ideals of its visionary leader.”
2. Present perfect: “Our community spirit has been founded on generations of cooperation.”
3. With modifiers: “Their business model is primarily founded on sustainable practices.”
4. In complex sentences: “While the theory was originally founded on limited data, subsequent research has substantiated its claims.”

Compare these uses for different band scores:

• Band 6: “The company is founded on good ideas.”
• Band 7: “The company’s success is founded on innovative marketing strategies.”
• Band 8-9: “The corporation’s unprecedented growth is fundamentally founded on its ability to anticipate and adapt to rapidly evolving market trends.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect preposition: “The theory is founded in scientific evidence.” (Correct: on)
2. Wrong verb tense: “The organization will be founded on trust.” (Use present tense for existing entities)
3. Misuse with abstract concepts: “Happiness is founded on money.” (Better: “Happiness is based on” or “stems from”)
4. Overuse: Repeatedly using this phrase in a single paragraph can seem repetitive. Vary your language.

Related Expressions

To further enhance your IELTS performance, consider these related expressions:

• “Be built on”: “Their success is built on years of hard work.” (Read more about be built on + noun)
• “Be premised on”: “The argument is premised on flawed assumptions.” (Explore be premised on + noun)
• “Be based on”: “The research is based on extensive field studies.”

These alternatives can help you avoid repetition and demonstrate a wider vocabulary range.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of “be founded on + noun” can significantly enhance your IELTS performance, particularly in Writing Task 2 and the Speaking test. Remember to use it appropriately to discuss fundamental principles or bases of ideas, organizations, or theories. Practice incorporating this structure into your responses to common IELTS topics such as education, technology, social issues, and environmental concerns. By doing so, you’ll demonstrate a sophisticated command of English, potentially boosting your scores in both Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.