at the base

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the base" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a position located at or near the lowest part of something, like a mountain, a tower, a tree, etc. For example, "They observed the eagle from the base of the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the base.

Independent

We need people at the base".

The New York Times

The NATO spokeswoman at the base, Maj.

The New York Times

Remove the seed pod at the base.

The New York Times

At the base, the U.S.S.

The New York Times

A nuisance at the base.

The Guardian - Sport

At the base of Maj.

The Washington Post

It lies at the base of Mount Brasil.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You stop at the base case.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Meet at the base of McGraw Tower.

Cornell University

They continued to camp at the base.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the base", ensure the context clearly defines what the base refers to. For example, specify "at the base of the mountain" rather than just "at the base" if the context isn't immediately clear.

Common error

Avoid using "at the base" without a clear reference point. Readers may struggle to understand the intended location if the object serving as the base isn't explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the base" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to specify location. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it indicates a position near the lowest part or foundation of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

32%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the base" is a versatile prepositional phrase commonly used to denote a location near the bottom or foundation of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts, from news and academic writing to wikis. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify what the base refers to. While alternatives like ""at the bottom"" or ""at the foot of"" exist, "at the base" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to describe a foundational or lower position.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the foundation

Emphasizes the role as a starting point or underlying support.

at the foot of

Highlights the location at the lowest part, especially of a mountain or hill.

at the bottom

Focuses on the location being the lowest point in a vertical arrangement.

located at the bottom

Similar to "at the bottom" but with a more descriptive emphasis on its position.

situated at the base

Replaces the simple preposition 'at' with a more descriptive expression, 'situated'.

resting on the base

Indicates support or reliance on the base as a foundation.

originating from the base

Suggests that something starts or comes from the base.

ground level

Denotes the same level as the ground or foundation.

underlying structure

Focuses on the support or foundational aspect.

primary infrastructure

Highlights the importance of the location or concept as the primary supporting element.

FAQs

How can I use "at the base" in a sentence?

You can use "at the base" to indicate a location or starting point. For example, "The statue is located "at the base" of the monument" or "The climb begins "at the base" of the hill.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "at the base"?

Alternatives include "at the bottom", "at the foot of", or "at the foundation", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "on the base" instead of "at the base"?

While "on the base" might be grammatically correct in certain contexts, "at the base" is generally preferred when referring to a location or position. "On the base" might imply something is physically resting on a base.

What's the difference between "at the base" and "in the base"?

"At the base" indicates a location near or around the lowest part of something, while "in the base" implies being contained within the base structure itself. For example, "The command center is "in the base"", versus "The protesters gathered "at the base" of the tower".