a fair basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fair basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundation or reasoning behind a decision, argument, or agreement that is just and equitable. Example: "We believe that this proposal provides a fair basis for negotiations between both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Three different separation technologies are being evaluated on a fair basis: absorption, membranes and adsorption.

Energy Procedia

If they come in, they come in on a fair basis".

The Guardian

This is a progressive policy spreading educational opportunity and funding it on a fair basis.

The Guardian - Opinion

"To maintain a strong, independent judiciary, you've got to compensate on a fair basis".

The New York Times

Employers welcomed the government's support for such contracts if introduced on a fair basis.

The Guardian

We will have to have people play on a fair basis, that's number one.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"How is that fair?" Hernsarling asked "Sir, I'd love to compete on a fairer basis in America with my green technology," Wilburn replied.

The Guardian

That seems a fairer basis for sport than allowing athletes to use artificial means of lifting themselves back up to, and perhaps beyond, their natural healthy level of performance.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite such controversies, it has to be recognised that user charges can strengthen environmental sustainability, establish a stronger framework of care services, promote public investment in modern infrastructure, extend access to certain health treatments and provide a fairer basis for meeting the real costs of public services.

The Guardian - Opinion

While this recommendation is intended to provide a fairer basis on which to make admission decisions, it would also help ensure that standardized tests do not have an undue influence but rather are used to illuminate the student's total record.

The New York Times

"However the amount raised will be redistributed between non-domestic ratepayers on a fairer basis using modern rental values".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fair basis" when you want to emphasize impartiality and justice in a decision-making process.

Common error

While both phrases relate to impartiality, "a fair basis" emphasizes just criteria, whereas "an equal basis" focuses on identical treatment, which might not always be fair.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fair basis" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a preposition or verb. It denotes the foundation or justification for an action, decision, or judgment, emphasizing impartiality and equity. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in varied contexts, consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fair basis" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that emphasizes impartiality and justice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as a noun phrase, typically functioning as the object of a preposition or verb. This phrase frequently appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating its versatility across diverse scenarios. While "a just basis", "an equitable basis", and "a reasonable basis" are viable alternatives, understanding the nuances of each is crucial for precise communication. When using "a fair basis", ensure clarity in defining the criteria that constitute fairness to avoid ambiguity and strengthen the credibility of your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a just basis

Replaces "fair" with "just", emphasizing moral correctness and impartiality.

an equitable basis

Substitutes "fair" with "equitable", highlighting equal treatment and opportunity.

a reasonable basis

Uses "reasonable" instead of "fair", suggesting a logical and justifiable foundation.

a sound basis

Replaces "fair" with "sound", focusing on the reliability and strength of the foundation.

a legitimate basis

Emphasizes the lawfulness and acceptability of the foundation.

a valid basis

Highlights the correctness and well-grounded nature of the foundation.

a good foundation

Shifts from "basis" to "foundation", slightly altering the imagery but retaining the core meaning.

a level playing field

Implies a situation where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed, changing basis to a metaphor.

an equal opportunity

Focuses on the equality of chances provided, shifting away from the foundation aspect.

a non-discriminatory approach

Emphasizes the absence of bias, changing the focus from a foundation to a method.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fair basis" to describe the foundation or reasoning behind a just and equitable decision, argument, or agreement. For example, "We need to establish "a fair basis" for judging the competition".

What's the difference between "a fair basis" and "a good basis"?

"A good basis" simply means a solid or reliable foundation, whereas "a fair basis" specifically implies that the foundation is just and impartial.

What can I say instead of "a fair basis"?

You can use alternatives like "a just basis", "an equitable basis", or "a reasonable basis" depending on the context.

Is "a fairer basis" grammatically correct compared to "a fair basis"?

Both are grammatically correct; "a fairer basis" implies a comparison, suggesting an improvement in fairness over a previous or existing basis, while "a fair basis" simply states that the basis is fair.