* Formal: The team spent months laying the groundwork for their ambitious project.
* Informal: We need to do some groundwork before we can start the renovation.
* Figurative: His years of study laid the groundwork for his future success.
* Specific: The architect's presentation focused on the groundwork necessary for the new building's foundation.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or want to see "groundwork" used in a specific context!