basis for a documentary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basis for a documentary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundational elements or reasons that support the creation of a documentary film. Example: "The interviews with the survivors provided a strong basis for a documentary about the historical event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Griffith's life was previously used as the basis for a documentary called Ring of Fire.

The Guardian - Film

"Coming Out Under Fire" was also the basis for a documentary film of that name, released in 1994.

The New York Times

Aug. 18 A FILM UNFINISHED An uncompleted Nazi propaganda film, staged in the Warsaw ghetto in 1942, becomes the basis for a documentary by Yael Hersonski.

The New York Times

JAZZ article about the famous photograph taken of large group of jazz musicians in 1958, which has now become the basis for a documentary film titled, "A Great Day in Harlem".

The New Yorker

Tosh began committing his life story to audiotape before he was murdered in 1987; the so-called Red X tapes provided the basis for a documentary on Tosh but have otherwise never been released.

The New Yorker

In 1958, sensing that the footage shot of the Soviet satellite Sputnik would be worth something, he purchased 6,000 feet of it from Artkino, the official Soviet distributor, and used it as the basis for a documentary, "The Race for Space," which he sold to more than 100 stations in the United States after all three networks turned it down.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But now, finally, it is being used as the basis for a new documentary, which will be shown on Channel 4 on Saturday night.

The Guardian - Opinion

That trip resulted in Chauncey's book, Weird and Tragic Shores, recently republished by the Modern Library in the Expedition Series and which became the basis for a PBS documentary.

The New York Times

He has explored the subject in two books, "Why Birds Sing: A Journey Into the Mystery of Bird Song" (2005), which served as the basis for a BBC documentary of the same title; and "Thousand Mile Song" (2008), which considered whale song.

The New York Times

The Elite game became the basis for a 90-minute documentary, "Gunnin' for That #1 Spot," which opens Friday in theaters in six cities, including New York.

The New York Times

"Young children watch this, and you want them to feel a sense of identification with the president," said Doris Kearns Goodwin, a presidential historian, who was recruited by Disney two years ago to write a Hollywood-style treatment about the presidents, which became the basis for a 20-minute documentary made for the exhibit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "basis for a documentary", ensure that you clearly define what specific element or event serves as the foundation of the documentary. Providing context will enhance clarity and strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "basis for a documentary" without specifying what provides the foundation. For instance, saying "The topic was the basis for a documentary" is vague; instead, specify "The historical event was the basis for a documentary."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basis for a documentary" functions as a noun phrase. It typically indicates the foundation, origin, or core subject upon which a documentary film is developed. Ludwig shows examples where various sources such as books, historical events, or personal stories serve as the basis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basis for a documentary" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the foundation or origin of a documentary film. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While alternatives such as "foundation for a documentary" and "source material for a documentary" exist, using "basis for a documentary" is an effective way to communicate the core idea behind the film's creation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and understood across various sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foundation for a documentary

Replaces "basis" with "foundation", emphasizing the underlying structure.

source material for a documentary

Focuses on the origin of the documentary's content.

inspiration for a documentary

Highlights the creative motivation behind the documentary.

starting point for a documentary

Emphasizes the initial stage or idea.

underlying story for a documentary

Highlights the narrative or subject matter.

reason for a documentary

Focuses on the cause or motive behind creating the documentary.

premise of a documentary

Highlights the fundamental idea or argument.

background for a documentary

Describes the historical or contextual information.

raw footage for a documentary

Specifies the unedited material used to make the documentary.

data for a documentary

Focuses on factual information and statistics used.

FAQs

What does it mean for something to be the "basis for a documentary"?

When something is the "basis for a documentary", it means it serves as the foundation, origin, or core subject matter upon which the documentary is built. It's the central idea, story, or event that the documentary explores.

How can I use "basis for a documentary" in a sentence?

You can use it to explain what inspired or informed the documentary's creation. For example, "The book served as the "basis for a documentary" about climate change."

What are some alternatives to saying "basis for a documentary"?

You could say "foundation for a documentary", "inspiration for a documentary", or "source material for a documentary" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the documentary is based on" instead of "basis for a documentary"?

Yes, "the documentary is based on [something]" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the same idea. For example, "The documentary is based on the journalist's investigation" is equivalent to "The journalist's investigation was the "basis for a documentary"".