as a basis for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'as a basis for' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an idea or situation that serves as a starting point or foundation for something else. For example: "We will use our experience as a basis for making future decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As a basis for satire, that's a non-starter.

The Guardian - Books

Robertson Land as a basis for its vast territorial claim.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Anywhere else in Europe it would have been seized upon as a basis for settlement.

The Guardian

While different scholars have different opinions, all use "Cleopatra" as a basis for comparison.

The New York Times - Arts

Israel said it was prepared to accept Mr. Clinton's proposals "as a basis for discussion".

The New York Times

They have coded the rules that neurons use as a basis for communication with each other.

The Guardian

Other examples also call attention to systems and coding as a basis for understanding.

The New York Times

Their responses were used as a basis for drawing up profiles of future murderers.

The Guardian

The Nazis used its model law as a basis for their own.

The New York Times

But what about using happiness as a basis for political and economic decision making?

The Guardian

Choose a narrowly-defined topic as a basis for comparing the credibility of resources available online.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a basis for", ensure that the basis is clearly defined and relevant to the subsequent idea or action. This helps maintain clarity and logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "as a basis for" without specifying what exactly constitutes the basis. A vague reference weakens the statement and leaves room for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a basis for" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically introducing the rationale or justification for a subsequent action, decision, or conclusion. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a basis for" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something serves as a foundation or justification. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources, confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. The phrase is most frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts. It provides clarity and logical structure to writing by explicitly stating the rationale behind an idea or action. When using this phrase, ensure that the "basis" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a foundation for

Replaces "basis" with "foundation", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the starting point.

as a starting point for

Focuses on the initiatory aspect rather than the underlying support.

as grounds for

Highlights the justification provided by the initial element.

as the rationale for

Emphasizes the logical justification or reasoning behind something.

as justification for

Directly states the act of providing reasons to support a claim or action.

as a reason for

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct causal relationship.

to serve as the underpinning for

Uses 'underpinning' to refer to a foundation, and adds the element of serving.

as the underpinnings of

Highlights the foundational support, but less direct than the original.

as a framework for

Implies a structured set of guidelines or principles.

premised on

Indicates something is based or founded on a particular idea or assumption.

FAQs

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

Use "as a basis for" to indicate that something serves as the foundation, justification, or starting point for something else. For example, "The research findings served as a basis for developing new policies."

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

You can use alternatives such as "as a foundation for", "as a starting point for", or "as grounds for" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "as a basis for" or "because of"?

"As a basis for" implies a foundation or starting point, while "because of" indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a foundational element or a causal link.

What is the difference between "as a basis for" and "in light of"?

"As a basis for" suggests using something as a foundation, while "in light of" indicates considering new information or circumstances. "In light of" implies a shift in perspective due to new information, whereas "as a basis for" emphasizes the initial groundwork.