an anonymous basis

USAGE SUMMARY

"an anonymous basis" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when someone wishes to do something on a confidential basis, without revealing their identity. For example: "We can offer you feedback and advice on an anonymous basis if that would make you more comfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

We would also be happy to hear your story on an anonymous basis.

The Guardian - Sport

He told me that he wanted to be completely honest about what was going on in the country, but on an anonymous basis.

The New Yorker

Details of the document were confirmed Sunday by two people familiar with its contents, who both spoke on an anonymous basis because of the sensitivity of the subject.

The New York Times

I was surprised that the employees were speaking up, since it was so rare to hear from Fox employees, even on an anonymous basis.

The New York Times

Devlin took his recording equipment to the South Mimms service station to mark the 25th anniversary of the M25 last weekend and spoke to members of the public on an anonymous basis.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In explaining its thinking ahead of an international summit, for example, a government spokesperson may asked to be quoted on an anonymous basis to avoid showing the government's hand in public ahead of negotiations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Tapad supplements this with data from websites and app publishers that have dual login systems for the mobile Web and apps, all of which is sold on an aggregate, anonymous basis.

TechCrunch

The tissue used in this study was collected with ethical approval on a fully anonymous basis only and thus we have no further patient details.

Histochemistry and Cell Biology

As the survey addressed healthy people on a voluntarily and anonymous basis without a planned intervention no further special ethical considerations had to be followed.

BMC Health Services Research

Of course, advertisers do not need nor want to know exactly "who" someone is by name (PII), instead the sale of media to advertisers has been largely focused on the "what" a person is -- i.e. female, millennial, New Yorker, etc. Modern advertising engines and mixed media models are building "digital avatars" of potential customers and audiences on an aggregated and anonymous basis.

Huffington Post

Methods: The study consisted of a cross-sectional survey with a self-completed questionnaire applied to nurses and physicians on a voluntary and anonymous basis.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an anonymous basis" when you need to ensure the source of information or participation remains unknown. This is particularly useful in surveys, reporting, and data collection where honesty and openness are crucial but individuals might be hesitant to participate if their identity is revealed.

Common error

Don't assume that providing data on "an anonymous basis" automatically guarantees complete privacy. While anonymity hides the identity, data might still be analyzed in aggregate to reveal patterns. Clearly explain the data usage policy to participants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an anonymous basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something is done without revealing the identity of the person or entity involved. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an anonymous basis" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression employed to indicate that something is conducted or shared without revealing the identity of the involved party. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Primarily found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves to ensure confidentiality and encourage honest participation in various activities, such as surveys or information gathering. Related phrases include "on condition of anonymity" and "without attribution". When using this phrase, it is crucial to differentiate anonymity from overall privacy, and maintain transparency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on condition of anonymity

More formal way to express the same meaning.

with guaranteed anonymity

Stresses the assurance of non-disclosure.

off the record

Commonly used in journalism to indicate information not for direct quoting.

under the promise of secrecy

Expresses a formal agreement to maintain confidentiality.

without attribution

Focuses on the lack of source identification.

confidentially

Replaces the entire phrase with an adverb emphasizing secrecy.

on a no-name basis

Informal way of saying without revealing names.

under a cloak of anonymity

Emphasizes the hidden nature of the source.

in confidence

Highlights the trust and secrecy involved.

in undisclosed manner

Highlights secrecy about how the information came about.

FAQs

How can I use "an anonymous basis" in a sentence?

You might say, "We collected the survey responses on "an anonymous basis" to encourage honest feedback" or "The information was provided on "an anonymous basis", so we cannot verify the source".

What's the difference between "an anonymous basis" and "confidentially"?

"An anonymous basis" emphasizes the lack of identification of the source, while "confidentially" focuses on the secrecy of the information itself. You might receive a tip on "an anonymous basis" and treat the information "confidentially".

Is it always ethical to collect information on "an anonymous basis"?

While collecting data on "an anonymous basis" can encourage participation, it's crucial to ensure participants are fully informed about how their data will be used and that the process complies with privacy regulations. Transparency is key.

What are some alternatives to "an anonymous basis"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "without attribution", "on condition of anonymity", or "off the record".