a factual basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a factual basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundation of information or evidence that supports a claim or argument. Example: "In order to make a strong argument, it is essential to establish a factual basis for your claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"She does not have a factual basis for these statements.

The New York Times

Still, there is a factual basis for Turkey's concerns.

The New York Times

Which is a factual basis, not a religious basis.

The Washington Post

The jury's resolution of that issue against plaintiffs has a factual basis in the record.

Harvard University

"Science provides a factual basis for beliefs and assumptions," Sterzing says, shrugging his shoulders.

University of California, Berkeley

We don't discuss immigration – because discussion would imply a factual basis and the exchange of logical arguments.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Don't you think that we ought to have a factual basis to know what that cost is?" he asked.

The New York Times

"It's not completely clear that there was a factual basis" to the telephoned threat, Dr. Hern said in an interview.

The New York Times

"I hope they have a factual basis that they can demonstrate for their defamatory and libelous allegations," he said.

Independent

Prosecutors in the Bronx district attorney's office said that assertion did not have a factual basis and should be rejected by Justice Boyle.

The New York Times

In a family debate there is no hope for a fitting riposte, no standard of logical argument, no need of a factual basis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When making an assertion, ensure you can identify and articulate the specific evidence or information that provides "a factual basis" for it.

Common error

Don't mistake a correlation for causation. Just because two things occur together doesn't mean one provides "a factual basis" for the other. Conduct more research to determine if there is a cause-and-effect relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a factual basis" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates the existence of supporting evidence or information for a claim or argument, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

22%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a factual basis" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the role of evidence and objective information in supporting claims or arguments. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academia, and encyclopedias, reflecting its importance in formal and neutral communication. When using this phrase, ensure that you can clearly identify the information that provides the "factual basis" for your claims and avoid mistaking correlation for causation. Alternatives such as "a solid foundation" or "an evidentiary basis" can be used depending on the specific context to provide subtly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an evidentiary basis

Highlights the role of evidence in supporting a claim.

a verifiable premise

Highlights that the initial statement or idea is something that can be checked and confirmed.

a solid foundation

Focuses on the strength and reliability of the supporting information.

substantiated grounds

Emphasizes that the reasons or claims are well-supported.

a sound rationale

Emphasizes the logical reasoning behind a claim or decision.

a well-founded argument

Highlights that the argument is constructed upon reliable information.

a data-driven justification

Stresses that the justification is based on objective data.

an empirical justification

Emphasizes justification comes from experimental data or observation.

a grounded perspective

Focuses on a realistic and well-informed point of view.

an objective assessment

Stresses impartiality and reliance on facts in the evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "a factual basis" in a sentence?

You can use "a factual basis" to indicate the foundation of evidence or information that supports a claim, such as "The judge requested "a factual basis" for the accusation before proceeding".

What phrases can I use instead of "a factual basis"?

Alternatives to "a factual basis" include "a solid foundation", "an evidentiary basis", or "a sound rationale", depending on the specific context.

When is it important to establish "a factual basis"?

Establishing "a factual basis" is crucial in situations requiring justification or substantiation, such as in legal proceedings, scientific research, or policy making. It ensures that claims are supported by evidence and not merely speculation.

What distinguishes "a factual basis" from an opinion?

"A factual basis" refers to objective evidence and verifiable information, while an opinion is a personal belief or judgment that may not be supported by evidence. Arguments should be supported by "a factual basis" rather than relying solely on opinions.