basis for criticism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basis for criticism" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundation or reasoning behind a critique or negative feedback regarding a subject or action. Example: "The report provided a solid basis for criticism of the company's financial practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

First, it has been long held that only a comprehensive social theory could unify critical social science and thus underwrite a "scientific" basis for criticism that goes beyond the limits of lay knowledge.

SEP

Still, no basis for criticism.

The New York Times - Arts

As the box office started to stumble, the elements that had made his movies different — the Pennsylvania settings, the themes about faith, the unexpected endings — became a basis for criticism.

The New York Times

Desires are directed to fit the world to them; hence they lack this basis for criticism (Smith 1987).

SEP

There is a gulf between the rubber-stamp approach in Lee Optical and the careful consideration and rejection of implausible justifications for government action in City of Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Center (1985), discussed in my lead essay, that can be readily perceived and can serve as the basis for criticism and commendation, respectively.

Huffington Post

However, if one takes the requirement of progressive realization seriously, together with the periodic reporting requirement, one might conceivably have a powerful basis for criticism of government policies.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But here, there has been no basis for such criticism.

The New York Times

The province's chief justice, Sir Brian Kerr, in ordering a new trial, said a properly directed jury would have found "sufficient" factual basis for the criticism.

The New York Times

Beliefs are directed to fit the world; hence their insufficient fit provides the basis for their criticism.

SEP

A fundamental tension emerges between a comprehensive social theory that provides a theoretical basis for social criticism and a more pluralist and practical orientation that does not see any particular theory or methodology as distinctive of Critical Theory as such.

SEP

Such disturbing details are of general concern and provide a strong basis for self-criticism by the Singapore government and perhaps even a commission of inquiry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "basis for criticism", ensure that you clearly articulate the specific elements or factors that warrant the critique. Providing context and examples strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "basis for criticism" without specifying the exact reasons. Vague or unsubstantiated claims weaken the critique and undermine its credibility. Be specific and provide evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basis for criticism" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the foundation or justification upon which a critique is established. It is used to introduce the reasons or evidence supporting a negative evaluation or assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "basis for criticism" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that serves to introduce or highlight the underlying reasons or justifications for a critique. According to Ludwig AI, it is a sound phrase. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in academic, scientific, and news contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. To maximize its impact, it's important to articulate the specific elements that warrant the critique, while avoiding vagueness. Related phrases like "grounds for critique" or "reason for critique" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grounds for critique

Replaces "basis" with "grounds" and "criticism" with "critique", offering a slight variation in vocabulary but maintaining the core meaning.

reason for critique

Substitutes "basis" with "reason", emphasizing the rationale behind the critical assessment.

foundation for disapproval

Replaces "criticism" with "disapproval", highlighting a negative judgment or disagreement.

justification for critique

Uses "justification" instead of "basis", stressing the legitimacy or validity of the critical evaluation.

rationale behind the critique

Rephrases the entire phrase to focus on the "rationale", offering a more explanatory tone.

reasoning behind the criticism

Similar to "rationale", this emphasizes the logical thought process leading to the criticism.

underlying cause of criticism

Focuses on the "cause", implying a deeper, more fundamental reason for the critique.

source of disapproval

Replaces "basis" with "source", shifting the emphasis to the origin of the negative assessment.

pretext for criticism

Implies that the criticism may be masking a different, perhaps less obvious, motive.

excuse for critique

Suggests that the "criticism" may be a weak justification or rationalization.

FAQs

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

You can use "basis for criticism" to introduce the reasons or justification for a critique. For example: "The lack of transparency provided a strong "basis for criticism" of the board's decisions."

What are some alternative phrases for "basis for criticism"?

Some alternatives include "grounds for critique", "reason for critique", or "foundation for disapproval", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "basis for criticism" and "reason for criticism"?

"Basis for criticism" refers to the fundamental support or foundation on which a critique is built, whereas "reason for criticism" simply points to the cause or explanation for the critique. They are often interchangeable, but "basis" implies a more substantial foundation.

Is "basis for criticism" a formal or informal phrase?

"Basis for criticism" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. More informal settings may call for simpler language.