decided on the basis of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decided on the basis of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that has been decided or chosen based on a certain set of criteria. For example, "We decided on the basis of the application's merit to award the scholarship to the most qualified candidate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Supreme Court cases, especially high-profile ones, are rarely decided on the basis of such logical inferences.

The New Yorker

The inclusion in one or another group was decided on the basis of clinical and biological parameters by the above mentioned physicians.

Plosone

These thresholds were decided on the basis of the number needed to treat to prevent one CHD event, the cost-effectiveness of treatment and, predominantly, the proportion of the population requiring treatment and the total cost of treatment [ 11].

Diabetologia

But the case will be decided on the basis of incomplete evidence.

The Guardian - Sport

Tenure is decided on the basis of scholarship, including publishing, teaching and service to the university.

The New York Times

"This will be decided on the basis of where an operation takes place".

Independent

As for the election of members of the European Parliament, this will be decided on the basis of "degressive proportionality".

The Economist

If matches were decided on the basis of possession and territorial dominance alone, then Southampton would already be in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

"Of course I'll be putting myself forward if there's a [frontbench] vacancy but it will be decided on the basis of merit within the National party," Macfarlane said.

The Guardian

If the ideological barnacles on all sides could somehow be scraped off, perhaps the matter could be decided on the basis of cost-effectiveness, economic and diplomatic.

The New Yorker

"The court guarantees that future cases of this sort will have to be decided on the basis of individualized factual findings," he wrote.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use active voice when possible for clearer and more direct writing. For example, instead of "The selection was decided on the basis of...", write "The committee decided on the basis of..."

Common error

Avoid vague statements about the basis of a decision. Instead of saying "The project was approved, decided on the basis of its potential", specify the metrics used to assess potential, such as "market size", "innovation", or "projected ROI".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decided on the basis of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, noun, or clause. It indicates the criteria, reasons, or grounds upon which a decision was made. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often used to provide justification or explain the rationale behind a choice or judgment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decided on the basis of" is a versatile phrase used to explain the rationale behind a decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in scientific, news, and formal settings. To ensure clarity, always specify the criteria that influenced the decision. For less formal communication, consider using synonyms like "based upon". The examples illustrate how this phrase functions to provide a clear explanation for a decision, lending credibility to the decision-making process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based upon

A slightly more formal synonym that stresses the foundation or groundwork of the decision.

determined by

This alternative conveys direct causation, indicating that something was a clear determining factor.

determined by virtue of

This alternative highlights that the decision was a direct consequence of particular characteristics.

resolved according to

This alternative emphasizes the resolution aspect, focusing on adherence to guidelines or principles.

judged in light of

This implies a consideration of specific information or circumstances during the decision-making process.

concluded from

This suggests that the decision was the result of drawing inferences or deductions.

predicated on

This indicates the decision was fundamentally based on a certain premise or condition.

established through

This phrase underscores the process or method by which the decision was achieved.

ascertained from

This suggests the decision was made following a process of discovery or verification.

grounded in

Similar to 'based upon' but often used for abstract concepts or philosophical principles.

FAQs

How can I use "decided on the basis of" in a sentence?

You can use "decided on the basis of" to explain the criteria used in making a judgment or decision. For example, "The winner was decided on the basis of the highest score".

What are some alternatives to "decided on the basis of"?

Some alternatives include "based upon", "determined by", or "predicated on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "decided on the basis of" or "based on"?

"Decided on the basis of" is generally considered more formal than "based on". The former is often found in academic or professional writing, while the latter is suitable for most contexts.

Which is correct: "decided on the basis of" or "decided based on"?

Both "decided on the basis of" and "decided based on" are grammatically correct and commonly used. "Decided on the basis of" is slightly more formal and explicit, while "decided based on" is more concise. The choice depends on the desired tone and clarity.