a firm basis for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a firm basis for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundation or justification for an argument, decision, or action. Example: "The research provided a firm basis for the new policy changes that were implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The dictionary created a firm basis for philological work.

Yale University

This intellectual activity provides a firm basis for developing their own ideas.

University of California, Berkeley

Our precedents establish a firm basis for assertion of the privilege.

Cornell University

What data can provide a firm basis for making and evaluating this decision?

Yale University

The numerical scheme therefore provides a firm basis for extension to simulate more complex physical phenomena.

Journal of Computational Physics

To provide a firm basis for these discussions, societies began to publish scientific papers.

Britannica

The study provides a firm basis for comparison with other technologies and develops a feasible process design and cost estimate.

Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies - 6th International Conference Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies 1 – 4 October 2002, Kyoto, Japan

Conclusions: The data were too few and of insufficient quality to provide a firm basis for practice.

Journal of WOCN

Mr. Obama's proposals provide a firm basis for both the Senate and House to move forward with comprehensive reforms.

The New York Times

The good fit of the data to the proposed mechanism, provides a firm basis for the semi-quantitative analysis of the behavior of more complex suspensions.

Columbia University

Overall, the model predicts the various system parameters satisfactorily, providing a firm basis for the development of a design methodology for three-phase airlift (TPAL) reactors.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a firm basis for" when you want to emphasize that something is well-supported by evidence, data, or logical reasoning. It conveys a sense of stability and reliability.

Common error

Avoid using "a firm basis for" as filler language. Ensure that you clearly articulate the specific evidence or reasoning that supports your claim, rather than relying on the phrase as a substitute for concrete details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a firm basis for" primarily functions as a noun phrase modifier. It indicates that something provides a solid and reliable foundation or justification for a subsequent action, decision, or belief. Ludwig's examples illustrate its role in academic, scientific, and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

Academia

25%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a firm basis for" is a common and grammatically correct English expression used to indicate that something provides strong support or justification. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It is most frequently found in scientific, academic, and news-related contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "solid foundation for" and "strong justification for" exist, "a firm basis for" conveys a sense of stability and reliability and should be used with concrete supporting details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solid foundation for

Replaces 'basis' with 'foundation', emphasizing the structural support aspect.

a strong justification for

Replaces 'basis' with 'justification', focusing on the reason or rationale.

a well-founded justification for

Adds emphasis to the strength and validity of the justification.

a sound rationale for

Substitutes 'firm basis' with 'sound rationale', highlighting the logical reasoning behind something.

a reliable groundwork for

Uses 'groundwork' instead of 'basis', suggesting preliminary work providing support.

a secure platform for

Employs 'platform' to convey the idea of a stable and dependable starting point.

a valid reason for

Focuses on the 'reason' aspect, indicating an acceptable cause or explanation.

a convincing argument for

Highlights the persuasive aspect, suggesting a well-supported claim.

a dependable source for

Shifts the focus to the origin or provider of support, implying reliability.

an established precedent for

Emphasizes that something similar has happened before, serving as justification.

FAQs

How can I use "a firm basis for" in a sentence?

You can use "a firm basis for" to indicate that something provides strong support or justification for something else. For example: "The research provides "a firm basis for" the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "a firm basis for"?

You can use alternatives like "solid foundation for", "strong justification for", or "sound rationale for" depending on the context.

Is "a firm basis for" formal or informal?

"A firm basis for" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. While acceptable in informal settings, more casual alternatives might be preferred.

What is the difference between "a firm basis for" and "a good reason for"?

"A firm basis for" implies a more solid, well-supported foundation, often based on evidence or logical reasoning. "A good reason for" is more general and can refer to any acceptable motivation, even if it's not rigorously justified.