based

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'based' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used as an adjective to mean founded upon, or produced using something as a basis. Example: The film was based on the true story of a family living in poverty.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

When it was reported in November 2012 that Carr was keeping a diary of his time as foreign minister with the intent of publishing it – based on the accounts of numerous sources – Carr immediately issued a statement denying he was writing a book.

The Guardian

"The state of Palestine should be based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps and with security guarantees for itself and Israel.

The Guardian

Based on the true story of the wrongful conviction of black boxer Rubin Carter, the film has been criticised for bending the facts, which may have damaged its chances, but its star, Denzel Washington, appears in the best actor category.

The Guardian - Film

"The relationship between an athlete and a coach can only be based on unflinching trust.

The Guardian - Sport

An Iranian journalist based in Tehran contributed to this report.

The Guardian

Ed Jacobs is a political consultant at the Leeds based Public Affairs Company and devolution correspondent for the centre-left political and policy blog, Left Foot Forward.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

McIntyre said that during legal challenges against the tapes handover Boston-based judge William Young, who read all the relevant interviews, described the project as a "bona fide academic exercise of considerable intellectual merit".

The Guardian

Strong community-based leadership at a local level is needed".

The Guardian

The report has been produced by the Commonwealth Fund, a Washington-based foundation which is respected around the world for its analysis of the performance of different countries' health systems.

The Guardian

The first academic casualty of the Boston College-Jean McConville furore has been a parallel project which was to involve a London-based historian and an ex-RUC officer as well as retired members of the Garda Siochana in the Irish Republic, all with long records in fighting terrorism.

The Guardian

The answer is not for "formal" education to begin earlier, but the evidence in favour of state funding for play-based, nursery settings from the age of two – followed by a gentle transition into school life – is clear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing opinions or arguments, specify the evidence on which they are "based" to enhance credibility. Example: "My conclusion is based on several credible sources."

Common error

Avoid using "based" vaguely without specifying what something is based on. Instead of saying "The project is based", clarify with "The project is based on extensive research" to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The word "based" primarily functions as a past participle or adjective. It is often used in phrases like "based on" to indicate the foundation or origin of something, as seen in Ludwig's examples such as "Based on the true story..."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "based" is a versatile term primarily used as a past participle or adjective, commonly appearing in the phrase "based on" to denote the foundation or origin of something. As evidenced by Ludwig's analysis, "based" exhibits strong grammatical validity and widespread usage across varied contexts. It's frequently encountered in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific domains, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse forms of communication. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify what exactly something is "based" on, avoiding vague statements. In conclusion, "based" serves as a reliable and frequently used term for indicating foundations and origins, as confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

founded on

Emphasizes the establishment or creation of something with a specific foundation.

predicated on

Highlights that something is affirmed or based on a particular condition or assumption.

grounded in

Indicates a solid and fundamental basis or origin.

derived from

Focuses on the source or origin from which something is obtained or developed.

stemming from

Suggests that something originates or arises as a consequence of something else.

hinging on

Implies that the outcome or success depends entirely on a specific factor.

centered around

Highlights the main point or focus of something.

built upon

Indicates that something is constructed or developed on an existing foundation.

dependent on

Emphasizes the reliance or need for something else to exist or function.

originating from

Focuses on the place, time, or source where something began.

FAQs

How is "based on" used in a sentence?

"Based on" indicates the foundation or origin of something. For instance, "The movie is "based on a true story"", meaning the movie's plot originates from real events.

What can I say instead of "based on"?

Alternatives include "founded on", "predicated on", or "derived from", depending on the specific context. These alternatives provide different nuances in meaning.

Is it correct to say "basing on" instead of "based on"?

No, "basing on" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "based on", which functions as a prepositional phrase indicating foundation or origin.

What's the difference between "based on" and "on the basis of"?

While similar, "based on" typically refers to a more direct foundation, whereas "on the basis of" implies a more formal or reasoned justification. For example, "The decision was on the basis of evidence presented" suggests a careful evaluation, while "The movie is based on a novel" simply states the source material.