based on the lives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "based on the lives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is derived from or influenced by the experiences or stories of individuals or groups. Example: "The novel is based on the lives of several historical figures who shaped the course of the nation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Her one-off two-hour drama To Walk Invisible, based on the lives of the three Brontë sisters, will debut this month.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Imitation Game was one of an unusual number of biopics screened at the festival based on the lives of those still fresh in memory.

The Guardian - Film

Drama based on the lives of suffragettes.

The New York Times

She put together cabaret shows, often based on the lives of artists like Johnny Mercer.

The New York Times

This would explain countless passages based on the lives, or quoted from the writings, of Woolf and her husband, Leonard.

The New York Times - Books

Plays, let alone musicals, based on the lives of real people cannot cover all aspects and incidents in those lives.

The New York Times - Arts

"Bounce" is based on the lives of the Mizner Brothers, a pair of rakish entrepreneurs from the early 20th century.

The New York Times

And the format that we used -- touring continuously -- was based on the lives of 20-year-olds.

The New York Times - Arts

Michael S Malone The first full account of Intel, based on the lives of three of its top dogs.

The Guardian - Books

All are biographical and tell some version of the real story, often based on the lives of the authors or their families.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Cities, rather than metropolitan areas, are the political units that adopt most living wage laws.We characterize the living wage laws prevailing in a metropolitan area based on the living wages passed by the major cities in the metropolitan area.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "based on the lives", ensure that the connection between the real lives and the work is clear to avoid misinterpretation. For example, specify which aspects of the lives were used as inspiration.

Common error

Avoid implying complete accuracy when using "based on the lives", especially in fictional works. Acknowledge that creative liberties were taken to prevent misleading the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "based on the lives" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, typically describing a work of art or media. It indicates that the work is inspired by or derived from the experiences of real people. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Books

10%

Arts

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "based on the lives" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates a work's inspiration comes from real people's experiences. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and proper usage across various contexts. While most commonly found in news and media, as well as books and arts, its usage extends to more academic settings. When employing this phrase, consider clearly stating the connection between the lives and the work. Though the phrase is very common in English, it can be replaced with alternative expressions such as "inspired by true stories", and "derived from real experiences" to emphasize distinct nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inspired by true stories

Focuses specifically on the 'true' aspect of the stories serving as inspiration.

derived from real experiences

Emphasizes the origin of something in actual events, moving away from purely biographical focus.

rooted in personal histories

Highlights the deep connection to individual backgrounds and pasts.

drawn from biographical accounts

Specifies that the source material is explicitly biographical, changing the nature of the source.

reflecting lived realities

Shifts the emphasis to the accurate portrayal of real-world conditions and experiences.

informed by life events

Underscores the influence of significant events on the subject.

taking cues from real people

Uses a less formal tone, focusing on the act of taking inspiration.

modeled after actual existences

Presents the concept of imitation or replication of real people's ways of life.

springing from individual narratives

Indicates a sudden emergence from personal storytelling.

based upon actual biographies

Changes from 'lives' (plural) to 'biographies', and uses the more formal 'upon'.

FAQs

How do I use "based on the lives" in a sentence?

You can use "based on the lives" to describe a work of art that draws inspiration from real people. For example: "The film is "based on the lives" of the Brontë sisters."

What can I say instead of "based on the lives"?

Alternatives include phrases like "inspired by true stories", "derived from real experiences", or "rooted in personal histories" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "based on real events" or "based on the lives"?

The choice depends on whether the focus is on specific incidents or the overall experiences of individuals. Use "based on real events" when highlighting incidents, and "based on the lives" when highlighting the people's experiences.

What's the difference between a story "based on the lives" of someone and a biography?

A biography aims for a comprehensive and factual account of a person's life. A story "based on the lives" of someone may take creative liberties, focusing on certain aspects and potentially fictionalizing elements.