compete on the basis of

USAGE SUMMARY

"compete on the basis of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to attempting to reach or win something by making use of one's advantages such as skills or abilities. For example: "The two teams were determined to compete on the basis of skill and technique, rather than relying on luck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're happy to compete on the basis of our product.

The Washington Post

Most banks prefer to compete on the basis of "relationships".

The Economist

"Intel wants to compete on the basis of capital," he said.

The New York Times

IBM's strategy is to compete on the basis of hardware differentiation and service.

Harvard Business Review

But in the retail sector firms compete on the basis of past returns, not price.

The Economist

Golfers are invited to compete on the basis of their past achievements.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a result, it will be harder for options market makers to compete on the basis of price.

The New York Times

They would compete on the basis of food and attractive flight attendants — and I'm not going near that.

Yale University

It allows restaurants to compete on the basis of providing more healthful, low-calorie options to consumers.

The Washington Post

It's a truism among strategists that you can't compete on the basis of better management processes because they're easily copied.

Harvard Business Review

Another way to compete is to go beyond the function and compete on the basis of providing an experience.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "compete on the basis of", clearly state the specific attribute or factor that forms the foundation of the competition to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "compete on the basis of" without specifying what the basis is. For example, instead of saying "The companies compete on the basis of innovation", be more specific: "The companies compete on the basis of innovative design and functionality".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compete on the basis of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the specific criteria or attribute that determines success in a competitive situation. It clarifies how the competition is being conducted, as seen in Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "compete on the basis of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the criteria by which entities or individuals engage in competition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse fields, including news, business, and science, with a neutral register suitable for formal communication. To ensure clarity, always specify what that basis is, such as price, quality, or innovation. Related phrases like "vie based on" or "compete relying on" offer slight nuances, while specifying the competitive factor enhances overall meaning and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compete relying on

Shifts from "on the basis of" to "relying on", which emphasizes the reliance on specific attributes for competition.

vie based on

Replaces "compete" with "vie", suggesting a struggle for superiority. It keeps the "based on" element, focusing on the criteria for competition.

match on the strength of

Emphasizes the attributes or qualities that enable competition.

contend according to

Uses "contend" to indicate competition and "according to" to introduce the grounds for competition, offering a slightly more formal tone.

rivaled in light of

Shifts from "compete" to "rivaled" while using "in light of" to introduce the factors influencing the competition.

compete through

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a single preposition. Meaning changes in terms of nuance.

compete depending on

Replace "on the basis of" with "depending on" phrase.

differentiate by means of

Focuses on how to be different from competitors using certain means.

stake claim according to

Suggests that someone asserts their right or position in relation to a measure.

gain an edge through

Highlights how to create advantage over competitors using something. The meaning is slightly different.

FAQs

What does "compete on the basis of" mean?

It means to contend or vie for something, where the determining factor of success is a particular quality, attribute, or strategy. For example, companies might "compete on the basis of price", quality, or innovation.

How can I rephrase "compete on the basis of"?

You can use alternatives such as "vie based on", "compete relying on", or "contend according to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "compete on the basis of price"?

Yes, it is correct. This phrase is commonly used to indicate that price is the primary factor in a competitive market. Other examples are "compete on the basis of quality" or "compete on the basis of service".

What is the difference between "compete on the basis of" and "compete on the price of"?

"Compete on the basis of" is a broader term that can refer to any attribute or factor, whereas "compete on the price of" specifically refers to price as the determining factor in the competition.