based the theory on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "based the theory on" is not correct in English.
It should be "based the theory on" followed by the subject of the theory. You can use it when discussing the foundation or reasoning behind a particular theory in academic or analytical writing. Example: "The researcher based the theory on extensive empirical evidence gathered from various studies."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Dr. D. P. Devanand, who practices at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and teaches at Columbia, based the theory on a study of 90 patients who were suffering memory problems or cognitive impairment.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Our argument is based on the theory on Banach function spaces and on the Muckenhoupt theory with variable exponent.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Our method is based on the theory on Banach function spaces and the Muckenhoupt theory with variable exponent.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

I mentioned my daughters from time to time in the book only to illustrate a point or to add interest or humor; I did not base the theory on them.

The New York Times - Science

The question is whether Barr based the decision on this theory.

The Washington Post

Fresnel, however, based his theory on the hypothesis that light waves are propagated in an all-pervading ether.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We now organize the table based on quantum theory — on the positions the electrons in the outer shell of an atom have.

Los Angeles Times

Rating: 9/10, based on the theory that nothing and no one is a 10.

The Guardian

The analysis is based on the theory of abstract interpretation and on a multi-level security policy assignment.

Journal of Systems and Software

The report is based on the theory that Earth's continents rest on tectonic plates that have shifted over time.

Huffington Post

This was a hospital-based pragmatic, ethnographic study based on the theory of participatory action research.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more common and grammatically correct alternatives like "founded the theory on" or "grounded the theory in" to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid confusing "base" with "found". While "base" can mean to use something as a foundation, using it in the form "based the theory on" is grammatically awkward. Opt for "founded the theory on" or "grounded the theory in" for improved clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended to express the act of establishing a theoretical framework, but is not grammatically correct. Ludwig provides alternative suggestions for more precise expression. It's important to use phrases that clearly and accurately convey the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "based the theory on" might seem intuitive, it is not grammatically correct and standard in English. As Ludwig points out, it's better to use alternatives like "founded the theory on" or "grounded the theory in" to ensure clarity and accuracy. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase isn't acceptable, so it's best to avoid it in formal and academic writing, even if it appears across different contexts. By choosing a more appropriate phrase, you can enhance the credibility and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

founded the theory on

Replaces "based" with "founded", emphasizing the establishment of the theory.

grounded the theory in

Uses "grounded" to suggest a solid and practical foundation.

established the theory upon

Replaces "based" with "established", which is more formal and emphasizes the act of setting up the theory.

predicated the theory on

Uses "predicated" to highlight that the theory depends on certain assumptions.

built the theory on

Employs "built" to convey the idea of constructing the theory step by step.

developed the theory from

Indicates that the theory originated and evolved from specific starting points.

derived the theory from

Suggests that the theory was obtained or extracted from existing knowledge or data.

constructed the theory upon

Similar to "built", but slightly more formal, emphasizing the careful construction.

formulated the theory on

Focuses on the precise and systematic creation of the theory.

anchored the theory in

Highlights that the theory is securely attached and supported by something specific.

FAQs

How can I use "based the theory on" correctly?

While the phrase "based the theory on" isn't standard, consider using alternatives like "founded the theory on" or "grounded the theory in" for better clarity.

What's a more formal way to say "based the theory on"?

For a more formal tone, you might choose "established the theory upon" or "formulated the theory on".

Is it acceptable to use "based the theory on" in academic writing?

It's generally better to avoid "based the theory on" in academic writing. Instead, opt for stronger and more grammatically correct options like "grounded the theory in" or "predicated the theory on".

What's the difference between "based the theory on" and "founded the theory on"?

"Founded the theory on" is a more standard and grammatically correct way of saying that you are establishing a theory on a particular basis, whereas "based the theory on" is less common and can sound awkward.