base your decision on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "base your decision on" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used when explaining the reasoning or foundation behind a decision being made. Example: "When choosing a career path, it is important to base your decision on your personal interests and strengths."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

If you are not already a fan, base your decision on something completely arbitrary, such as 'I like that one girl's socks.' Buy t-shirts, buttons, and stickers featuring your new favorite team.

WikiHow

Did you base your decision on affordability, academic fit or some combination of the two?

The New York Times

Base your decision on what is best for this little girl and pay for her and her mother to come to Mexico.

The Guardian

1) When you're judging possible offensive, insulting or abusive language you base your decision on what is said, how it is said and the context.

The Guardian - Sport

That's no good either, for the path you choose will shape the very person you become, along with the preferences you develop; so to base your decision on the satisfaction of those preferences would be circular.

The New York Times

For example, how can you decide whether to follow the rules exactly or base your decision on its potential effect without knowing what rules you're talking about and what the consequences of violating them are?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

2) You are the ref – you base your decisions on what you saw as events unfolded.

The Guardian - Sport

Either way, it's irrelevant – you have to stick with your belief, and not base your decisions on what players tell you.

The Guardian - Sport

One of the things we found out during the shutdown in the Newt-Clinton years is that you couldn't base your decisions on Republican red-state sentiment, or you leave your members in purple states vulnerable".

The New York Times

Since, in playing the game, you don't know which methods are actually going to be reliable (or if any will be), you can't base your decisions on which methods we think will produce the truth.

The New York Times

You need to base your decisions on rational thought rather than fear.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "base your decision on", ensure that the criteria you are basing the decision on are clearly articulated to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "Base your decision on the data", specify "Base your decision on the latest market analysis data".

Common error

Avoid basing your decision on overly broad or vague criteria. For example, instead of saying "Base your decision on what feels right", try to quantify the feeling or provide more specific reasons such as "Base your decision on the projected return on investment and risk assessment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "base your decision on" functions as a directive, advising or instructing someone to consider specific factors or criteria when making a choice. It is used to emphasize the rationale behind a decision-making process, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

32%

Science & Research

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "base your decision on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that provides guidance on how to approach decision-making. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, from news articles and wikis to scientific research. While it's versatile, clarity is key: specify the criteria upon which the decision should be based. Alternatives like "make your choice based on" or "ground your decision in" can be used for variety, ensuring your communication remains effective and well-reasoned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make your choice based on

Replaces "decision" with "choice", slightly altering the emphasis but retaining the core meaning.

determine your decision by

Uses "determine" to indicate that the decision is directly influenced by something.

ground your decision in

Replaces "base" with "ground", emphasizing a firm foundation for the decision.

form your judgment on

Substitutes "decision" with "judgment", implying a more formal assessment.

found your decision on

Uses "found" which is similar to "ground", emphasizing a firm base for the decision.

let your decision hinge on

Uses "hinge on" to indicate that the decision depends significantly on something.

rest your decision upon

Similar to "hinge on", but slightly more formal, indicating reliance on something.

predicate your decision on

Employs "predicate" for a more formal and academic tone, suggesting a logical foundation.

derive your decision from

Suggests that the decision is a result or consequence of certain information or factors.

shape your decision around

Suggests that the decision is molded or influenced by certain factors.

FAQs

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

You can use "base your decision on" to suggest the foundation for making a choice. For example, "Base your decision on the available evidence and expert opinions."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "make your choice based on", "form your judgment on", or "ground your decision in", depending on the context.

Is it better to "base your decision on" emotion or logic?

It's generally advisable to base your decision on a combination of both emotion and logic, but the weight given to each depends on the situation. Major life decisions often require logical analysis, while personal choices may lean more on emotional considerations.

What does it mean to "predicate your decision on" something?

To "predicate your decision on" something means to found or base your decision on that particular factor or set of factors, often implying a more formal or reasoned approach.