base

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "base" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to the bottom of something, the starting point from which something is developed, a main ingredient of something, or a military location, as well as a verb to refer to the action of forming a infrastructure or foundation. Example sentence: The research team formed a strong base of evidence for their hypothesis.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fright began on Asian markets on Sunday when Standard Life shares fell by 4%, or £400m, while shares in the engineering firms Babcock International – which runs civilian operations at Faslane submarine base and Rosyth naval dockyard – dropped 4.2%, or £233m, and Glasgow-based Weir Group fell by 1.8%, or £100m.

The Guardian

In an attempt to shore up his political base, Chafee formally changed parties to become a Democrat in 2013.

The Guardian

It would, in fact, make Wales's problems much worse because the tax base is low.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I know for a fact that the people behind the report insisted the definition of rape be restricted to women," he says, adding that one of the RLP's donors, Dutch Oxfam, refused to provide any more funding unless he'd promise that 70% of his client base was female.

The Guardian

If you want a herby hit, but don't have fresh herbs to hand, then shop-bought pesto makes an excellent dressing base.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

T-Mobile and 3 have begun merging base stations in a joint venture that will see the number of T-Mobile's masts reduced from 18,000 to 15,000 by the end of this year – a move that will actually result in better coverage.

The Guardian

It also recommended the government look for further efficiency gains in health and education, and broaden the tax base, including by changing the way self-employed workers are taxed.

The Guardian - Business

Related: Two explosions hit Kurdish political rally in Turkey But many in Batman, a religiously conservative region, are indignant about the president's blatant use of Islam to rally his base.

The Guardian

"If you've got two campaigns essentially arguing the economic and financial viability of Scotland then it broadens the base, it makes that case stronger," Pringle explained.

The Guardian

The pintxos – most of which involve a bread base plus topping – are lined up on the bar so diners can take a look, give their selection to the staff, and wait for their chosen titbits to arrive.

The Guardian - Travel

With gold stabilising after its recent declines - which were based on worries about countries such as Cyprus selling some of their reserves along with signs of slowdown in China - and base metals such as copper recovering, mining shares regained some lost ground.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "base" to refer to a location, specify the type of "base" (e.g., military base, research base) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "base" when you mean "bass", which refers to a low-frequency sound or a type of fish. Proofread carefully to ensure you're using the correct word based on the context.

Linguistic Context

The word "base" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a foundation, starting point, or location. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it can also function as a verb, indicating the act of establishing or founding something, such as to "base" your argument on facts. Examples show usage across various contexts, from military "bases" to mathematical and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Business

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Travel

10%

Lifestyle

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "base" is a versatile term with multiple meanings and functions, predominantly as a noun or verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. It denotes a foundational element, starting point, or strategic location. Its formality is generally neutral, fitting both casual and professional registers. Its widespread usage, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in News & Media, Business, and Sport, makes it a fundamental element in the English lexicon. When using the term, remember to specify the type of "base" for clarity and avoid confusion with the homophone "bass".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foundation

Refers to the underlying support or starting point, similar to "base" but often implies a more abstract or conceptual element.

basis

Indicates the fundamental principle or reason for something, akin to "base" but emphasizing the rationale behind it.

infrastructure

Highlights the essential systems and facilities needed for something to function, similar to the support aspect of "base".

support system

Focuses on the elements that provide assistance or stability, relating to the supportive role implied by "base".

starting point

Emphasizes the initial stage or origin, akin to "base" in terms of beginning or commencement.

cornerstone

Implies a fundamental and essential element, similar to "base" but with a stronger connotation of importance.

root

Signifies the origin or source, similar to "base" but often used in a more metaphorical or abstract sense.

establishment

Focuses on the act of setting up or creating a foundation, relating to the idea of "base" as a beginning.

underpinning

Highlights the supportive elements that lie beneath or reinforce something, akin to "base" in providing stability.

bedrock

Emphasizes the fundamental and unshakeable nature of something, similar to "base" but with a stronger sense of firmness.

FAQs

How is "base" used in a sentence?

The word "base" can be used as a noun to refer to the bottom of something, a starting point, or a military installation. It can also be used as a verb meaning to establish or found something. For instance, "The statue has a marble base" or "The argument is based on solid evidence."

What words can I use instead of the noun "base"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "foundation", "basis", "infrastructure", or "establishment" as alternatives to "base".

What's the difference between "base" and "basis"?

"Base" often refers to a physical foundation or a starting point, while "basis" typically refers to the underlying principle or reason. For example, a statue has a "base", but an argument has a "basis".

Is it correct to say something is "base on" something else?

No, the correct phrase is "based on". "Based on" indicates that something is founded or derived from something else. Saying "base on" is a grammatical error.