base our decision on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "base our decision on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing how to make a decision, often one that involves multiple people. For example, "We should base our decision on the data from the study to make sure it is scientifically sound."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"But we just couldn't base our decision on that".

The New York Times

The governor said that whatever Mr. Witt concludes, "we will base our decision on that report".

The New York Times

Again, we decline to base our decision on constitutional grounds given the previously discussed precedent.

Harvard University

"We did not assess nor, frankly, base our decision on business results and the accuracy thereof".

The New York Times - Arts

It is right to base our decision on a sworn affidavit confirmed again today by Mrs Kane".

The Guardian

Ideally, we would like to base our decision on relative store prices rather than a spur of the moment decision.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The weather versus climate conflict illustrates what behavioral economists have said for years: "We base our decisions on emotion far more than reason".

The Guardian - Opinion

The solution, Greene said, requires us to distrust our tribal gut reactions, to stress reason over "common sense". More specifically, we need to base our decisions on evidence concerning the social consequences of our actions.

Harvard University

As it turns out, it is not that useful, and sometime even costly, to base our decisions on our intuitions.

Forbes

He added: "All I'm saying is let's see the evidence - let's base our decisions on hard evidence".

BBC

We like to think of ourselves as rational human beings that base our decisions on logical processes, but most of our decisions occur unconsciously and based on minimal information.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "base our decision on", ensure that the 'something' you are basing the decision on is clearly defined and credible. For example, "We will base our decision on the findings of the independent audit report."

Common error

Avoid making decisions based solely on one piece of information. While it's valid to "base our decision on" key data, always consider a range of factors to avoid skewed outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "base our decision on" functions as a verb phrase indicating the rationale or justification for a specific decision. It describes the act of grounding a choice in particular information, data, or principles. Ludwig AI identifies this as grammatically correct and usable in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "base our decision on" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to express the rationale behind a decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for diverse contexts, especially in news, science, and academic settings. When using this phrase, clearly define the evidence or reasoning that underpins your choice to ensure transparency and credibility. Consider using synonyms like "predicate our decision upon" or "ground our decision in" for varied expression. Always ensure that the basis for your decision is well-substantiated to avoid appearing arbitrary or biased.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predicate our decision upon

Replaces "base" with "predicate" and "on" with "upon", creating a more formal tone but maintains the original meaning.

found our decision on

Uses "found" as a synonym for "base", implying a solid foundation for the decision.

ground our decision in

Emphasizes the origin or source of the decision, using "ground" instead of "base".

rest our decision upon

Highlights the reliance on a specific factor, replacing "base" with "rest".

derive our decision from

Focuses on the origin of the decision, suggesting it comes as a result of something else.

form our decision around

Indicates that the decision is structured or shaped by a specific factor.

build our decision upon

Emphasizes the construction of the decision, indicating it is built on a foundation.

let our decision hinge on

Suggests that the decision depends critically on a single point or factor.

shape our decision based on

Reiterates that the decision is determined by certain conditions or factors.

use as the basis for our decision

Rephrases to clarify that something serves as the foundation for the decision.

FAQs

How can I use "base our decision on" in a sentence?

You can use "base our decision on" to indicate the foundation or rationale for a choice. For example, "We will "base our decision on" the data collected over the past year".

What are some alternatives to "base our decision on"?

Alternatives include "predicate our decision upon", "found our decision on", or "ground our decision in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "base our decision upon" instead of "base our decision on"?

Yes, using "upon" instead of "on" in the phrase ""base our decision on"" does lend a slightly more formal or archaic tone. However, both are grammatically correct and acceptable.

What should I avoid when using "base our decision on"?

Ensure that what you're basing your decision on is clearly identified and justifiable. Avoid vague or unsubstantiated reasons. For example, instead of "We'll base our decision on what feels right", specify "We'll "base our decision on" the feedback from our stakeholders".