basing it on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basing it on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to an activity that is dependent on a particular foundation or premise for its justification. For example, "We decided to establish the new policy, basing it on the latest research studies in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But we got the universal library almost overnight, and in an unexpected fashion: Rather than basing it on one central supermind, we have the distributed contributions of millions of Internet users.

Forbes

Let's base our conversations with one another from a place of shared humanity instead of basing it on fear by association.

Huffington Post

"We are basing it on oversight and compliance".

The New York Times

But you are basing it on something that can go up or down".

The Guardian - Sport

"But I now realize I was always basing it on landmarks, and they're all gone".

The New York Times

Puccini began to compose Turandot in 1920, basing it on a play by Carlo Gozzi.

Independent

You don't let a preview audience" -- or whatever she was basing it on -- "dictate.

The New York Times

"I guess I'm basing it on Jeremy's a fast healer and he feels dramatically better".

The New York Times - Sports

He had no theatre: he rented out halls and funded his noncommercial, nonprofit venture by basing it on subscriptions.

The New Yorker

He keeps the organisation simple, basing it on a high work-rate, an eyes-up approach and quick, clear communication.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr Verhofstadt has proposed basing it on the 12-strong euro group.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "basing it on", ensure the connection between the subject and the foundation is clear to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about what the "it" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "basing it on" without clearly defining what "it" represents. Ensure the antecedent is immediately clear to the reader to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basing it on" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify a verb, indicating the foundation or rationale behind an action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basing it on" is a correct and versatile phrase used to indicate the foundation or rationale behind a statement or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its wide adoption across news, science, and general writing makes it a common and useful tool for clearly expressing justification. While grammatically sound, ensure clear reference to what “it” refers to and consider using alternatives like "grounding it in" or "predicating it on" for greater precision or formality. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "basing it on" to enhance clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predicating it on

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of affirming or asserting something as a basis.

founding it upon

This alternative is more formal and highlights the establishment of something on a particular base.

grounding it in

This alternative suggests providing a solid and fundamental basis or justification.

deriving it from

This alternative emphasizes the origin or source from which something is obtained or developed.

justifying it by

This alternative indicates providing reasons or evidence to support or defend something.

reasoning from

This implies a logical process starting from a particular premise.

deducing it from

This means reaching a conclusion through logical inference.

inferring it from

This suggests drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning.

stemming from

This indicates something originates or arises from a particular source or cause.

anchoring it to

This alternative creates a strong sense of connection or dependence to a base reference.

FAQs

How can I use "basing it on" in a sentence?

You can use "basing it on" to describe a situation where a decision, theory, or creation is developed from a particular foundation. For instance, "The researcher developed the hypothesis, "basing it on" previous studies."

What are some alternatives to "basing it on"?

Alternatives to "basing it on" include phrases like "predicating it on", "founding it upon", or "grounding it in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "basing it on" or "grounding it in"?

"Grounding it in" often suggests a more fundamental or philosophical basis, while "basing it on" is more general and can apply to various types of foundations. The formality depends on the specific context.

When should I avoid using the phrase "basing it on"?

Avoid using "basing it on" if the connection between the subject and its foundation is vague or unclear. In such cases, rephrase the sentence to explicitly state the relationship, using alternatives such as "deriving it from" or "stemming from" depending on the context.