case-by-case basis

USAGE SUMMARY

"case-by-case basis" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing decisions or evaluations that are made individually rather than uniformly. For example, "The committee will review applications on a case-by-case basis." Alternative expressions include "individually" and "each situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It was a case-by-case basis.

The Economist

Hopefully, on a case-by-case basis.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a case-by-case basis.

The New York Times - Science

Discounts: Offered on a case-by-case basis.

The Guardian - Money

"These are judged on a case-by-case basis".

The New York Times

Previously, complaints were handled on a case-by-case basis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Requests are dealt with on a case by case basis".

The Guardian

It should be decided on a case by case basis".

The Guardian

David- It's a case by case basis.

TechCrunch

It's truly a case by case basis.

TechCrunch

The deals are judged on a case by case basis.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "case-by-case basis" when you want to emphasize that decisions or actions are not governed by a uniform rule, but instead depend on the specific details of each situation.

Common error

Avoid using "case-by-case basis" when the context already implies individual consideration. For example, instead of saying "We review each application on a case-by-case basis", simply state "We review each application".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "case-by-case basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. As indicated by Ludwig, it signifies that something is done or considered individually for each specific instance rather than uniformly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "case-by-case basis" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that decisions or evaluations are made individually, considering the unique details of each situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While highly versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy by omitting the phrase when individual consideration is already implied. Related phrases like "individually assessed" or "subject to individual review" can offer subtle variations in meaning. When using this phrase, keep in mind that while versatile in different registers, it's most common in more formal or neutral ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on an individual basis

Similar meaning, but uses "individual" instead of "case".

individually assessed

Emphasizes the act of assessing each case separately.

evaluated independently

Stresses the autonomy and lack of influence between evaluations.

separately evaluated

Focuses on the evaluation process being distinct for each case.

tailored to each situation

Focuses on customization based on the unique aspects of each case.

subject to individual review

Highlights the review process as being specific to each case.

depending on the circumstances

Highlights the influence of specific circumstances on the decision.

considered one by one

Highlights the sequential and distinct consideration of each case.

according to the situation

Similar to "depending on the circumstances", but slightly less formal.

assessed on its own merits

Emphasizes fairness and impartiality in the evaluation process.

FAQs

How can I use "case-by-case basis" in a sentence?

You can use "case-by-case basis" to describe situations where decisions are made individually, considering the specific details of each case. For instance, "The committee will evaluate requests "on a case-by-case basis"."

What's a more formal alternative to "case-by-case basis"?

While "case-by-case basis" is generally acceptable, you might use "on an individual basis" or "subject to individual review" in more formal contexts. These alternatives also convey the idea of separate consideration for each situation.

Is it ever wrong to use "case-by-case basis"?

Overusing "case-by-case basis" can sometimes lead to redundancy. If the context already makes it clear that each situation is being considered separately, it's best to omit the phrase.

What's the difference between "case-by-case basis" and " blanket policy"?

"Case-by-case basis" indicates that decisions are made individually, taking into account the specifics of each situation. A "blanket policy", on the other hand, is a uniform rule that applies to all situations, regardless of individual circumstances.