could be based upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be based upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundation or reasoning behind a theory, idea, or conclusion. Example: "The results of the study could be based upon previous research findings that support the hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Critical Care

The Economist

The New Yorker

Encyclopedia Britannica

Security Informatics

Evolution: Education and Outreach

SEP

Journal of Cleaner Production

Wikipedia

Biological Procedures Online

BMC Genomics

European Journal of Cancer, Supplement

BMC Medical Education

Earth, Planets and Space

Carbon Balance and Management

The Guardian - Opinion

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

The Guardian

The New York Times - Books

WikiHow

Encyclopedia Britannica

BMC Evolutionary Biology

BMC Genomics

The Guardian - Opinion

Wikipedia

BMC Family Practice

BMC Anesthesiology

The New York Times

Wikipedia

Huffington Post

Huffington Post

Plosone

Plosone

WikiHow

WikiHow

BMC Medical Research Methodology

eLife

Chemical Engineering Science

Applied Petrochemical Research

AMB Express

Plosone

Plosone

BMC Public Health

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

BMC Medical Genomics

British Journal of Cancer

BMC Family Practice

BMC Geriatrics

BMC Genomics

Environmental Health Perspectives

Cell Communication and Signaling

Plosone

Huffington Post

Chemical Engineering Science

Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics

Annals of Botany

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The consensus could be based upon evidence-based recommendations and expert opinion.

Critical Care

Shifts in investor sentiment could be based upon local fundamentals not reflected in news tracked by the economists.

The Economist

A ruling in favor of gay marriage could be based upon the notion that marriage is a fundamental right that cannot be denied to any citizen, gay or straight, or upon a parallel but distinct legal theory holding that, once a state begins issuing marriage licenses, the constitutional principle of equal protection mandates that it treat all citizens equally.

The New Yorker

This view of law as arbitrary and coercive was not conducive to social stability, however, and thus was amended by Plato and other philosophers, who asserted that nomos was, or at least could be, based upon a process of reasoning whereby immutable standards of moral conduct could be discovered, which could then be expressed in specific laws.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the selection of targets could be based upon some additional intelligence and observation rather than exclusively on the condition of 'recognition'recognition

Security Informatics

The classification systems that could be built by making use of logic could be based upon true knowledge, or mere opinion, and so these systems themselves could also be classified hierarchically.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Ranking could be based only upon the data available.

Earth, Planets and Space

More specifically, the credits could be based on a combination of the agreed-upon amount of aboveground carbon in the virgin forest to be left intact and the rapidity with which the deforestation rate approaches zero.

Carbon Balance and Management

And even if there were, there is no set of commonly agreed principles upon which governance could be based.

The Guardian - Opinion

The CALICO trial would be a useful model upon which such studies could be based.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Mutuals couldn't be based upon the same old relationships between managers and staff, the roundtable was told: "Mutuals have to have a real stake for staff or you will not get the claimed benefits".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be based upon", ensure that the sentence clearly identifies both the subject and the foundation upon which it relies. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity. For instance, "The decision could be based upon the latest research findings."

Common error

Avoid excessive use of the passive voice when using "could be based upon". Instead, consider restructuring the sentence to emphasize the actor or source providing the foundation. For example, instead of "The theory could be based upon their assumptions", try "Their assumptions could form the foundation of the theory".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be based upon" functions as a modal verb phrase followed by a passive construction, indicating a possibility or potential foundation. It suggests that something is possibly derived from or reliant on something else, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

19%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be based upon" indicates a potential foundation or derivation. While Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, it's relatively uncommon. It functions to express speculation or suggestion rather than definite fact. The phrase appears across various source types, with the most frequent being scientific and news media contexts. Consider stronger verbs if definitive relation is known. The choice between "based on" and "based upon" is often stylistic, with "based on" being more common in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be grounded in

Highlights that something is firmly based or established on a specific foundation.

could be derived from

Expresses that something is obtained or developed from a specific source or origin.

could rest on

Implies that something relies or depends on a specific basis or foundation.

might stem from

Indicates the origin or cause of something, similar to being based upon something.

may be predicated on

Implies that something is affirmed or based on a particular ground or basis.

might depend on

Suggests that the outcome or existence of something is conditional on a particular factor.

may arise from

Suggests that something originates or develops from a particular source.

might originate in

Indicates that something starts or has its roots in a particular place or thing.

might be attributed to

Suggests that something is caused by or credited to a particular factor or source.

may hinge on

Indicates that something depends entirely on a particular factor or event.

FAQs

How can I use "could be based upon" in a sentence?

Use "could be based upon" to suggest a possible foundation or reason for something. For example, "Her conclusions could be based upon years of experience."

What phrases are similar to "could be based upon"?

Alternatives include "might stem from", "could be derived from", or "could be grounded in".

Is it better to use "based on" or "based upon"?

While both "based on" and "based upon" are grammatically correct, "based on" is more commonly used in modern English. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What's the difference between "could be based on" and "is based on"?

"Could be based on" suggests a possibility or speculation, while "is based on" indicates a definite foundation or established fact. For example, "The hypothesis could be based on preliminary data" versus "The theory is based on proven principles."