casual basis

USAGE SUMMARY

"casual basis" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is done or agreed upon without a formal or regular arrangement. Example: I work at the grocery store on a casual basis, picking up shifts whenever they need an extra hand. Example: Our friendship was built on a casual basis, meeting for coffee whenever our schedules allowed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

§ 552.104 Babysitting services performed on a casual basis.

Cornell University

"It started on a very casual basis," Jonathan Stone said.

The New York Times

Many firms employ illegal immigrants on a casual basis.

The Economist

He's even begun attending the Tuesday-night meet-ups of the Columbia Chess Club — on a strictly casual basis.

Columbia University

Santa Claus is also being employed on a casual basis, at a rate of £10.53 an hour.

The Guardian

Managers empower employees to connect with guests on a more casual basis, offering local tips not unlike an Airbnb host.

The New York Times - Travel

At the moment, I'm working on a freelance and casual basis, while volunteering on the side to increase my skillset.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This means it's probably more useful for consulting on a casual basis rather than when you need specific advice.

The New York Times - Tech

Many end up being employed on a casual basis for a pittance, living in overcrowded rundown apartments, confined to the fringes of society.

The Guardian

On a much more casual basis, so do I, and so does Brooks, who entitled his column: "Confessions of a Poll Addict".

The New Yorker

Jones said he wanted to bring in a backs coach on a casual basis for the tour to Australia before making a permanent appointment.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "casual basis", ensure the context clearly conveys the lack of formal commitment or regularity. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "casual basis" in highly formal or legal documents where precision is paramount. Opt for more specific and binding language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "casual basis" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action is performed or how a relationship is maintained. Ludwig AI confirms its general correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "casual basis" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe arrangements lacking formality or regularity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's advisable to use more precise language in formal documents, as indicated in writing guidance. When you aim to express informality or a lack of strict commitment, "casual basis" serves effectively, however alternatives such as "on an ad-hoc basis" or "as needed" could be preferred according to the context. The frequency analysis demonstrates its prevalence, with News & Media being the most frequent context. Remember to always consider your audience and desired level of formality when choosing "casual basis" or alternative expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as needed

Simple and direct, indicating that something is done only when necessary.

on an ad-hoc basis

Emphasizes that arrangements are made as needed, without pre-planning.

informal manner

Replaces 'basis' with 'manner', emphasizing the informality of the approach.

without commitment

Emphasizes the lack of obligation or formal agreement.

sporadic fashion

Highlights the irregular and infrequent nature of the activity.

occasionally

Indicates that something happens from time to time, but not frequently.

intermittent schedule

Focuses on the unscheduled and occasional nature of the arrangement.

now and then

An idiomatic expression suggesting infrequent occurrence.

irregularly

A single-word adverb that directly conveys the lack of regularity.

freelance style

Implies flexibility and independence in the way something is done.

FAQs

How can I use "casual basis" in a sentence?

You can use "casual basis" to describe an arrangement that is informal or irregular, such as "I work there on a "casual basis"" or "We meet on a "casual basis"".

What's an alternative to saying "casual basis"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "informal manner", "sporadic fashion", or "on an ad-hoc basis" as alternatives to "casual basis".

Is it appropriate to use "casual basis" in a professional email?

It can be, depending on the relationship with the recipient and the formality of the situation. In more formal settings, "as needed" or "when available" might be more suitable.

What does "casual basis" imply about the terms of an agreement?

It suggests that the terms are flexible and not strictly defined, often implying a lack of long-term commitment or guaranteed hours.