establish a basis for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "establish a basis for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the foundation or groundwork for a concept, argument, or project. Example: "The research aims to establish a basis for understanding the effects of climate change on local ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As with any documents presented as evidence, including police reports and findings from medical examiners, prosecutors must establish a basis for the credibility of the articles in court.

The New York Times

Getting to know any Iraqi enough to establish a basis for trust meant that some of this truth would eventually begin seeping out.

The New York Times

The measurement was made between 1792 and 1798 to establish a basis for the unit of length in the metric system called for by the French national legislature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Kabila said he had met Mr. Kagame to establish a basis for discussing problems between the two countries, and had told him that "the forces of Rwanda are not welcome" in Congo.

The New York Times

Fröbel's principles were widely adopted after his death in 1852, albeit in a simplified form, but the idea of using concrete objects to establish a basis for later abstract knowledge remained at the centre of this approach.

The Economist

A room filled with Coca-Cola stuff.' " Yet she said she would advise someone with an obscure collection to get it valued for estate tax purposes and to establish a basis for when the items would be sold.

The New York Times

By this affirmation of the "noble savage" who draws his moral guidelines from the natural world, Charron became one of the first modern ethical theorists to establish a basis for morality outside religion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In early November, Israeli Foreign Minister David Levi met Palestinian deputy leader Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazenn) in Washington, D.C., but failed to establish a basis for final status talks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But indications are that the initial meeting will not delve deeply into details and instead will review the various existing budget plans as negotiators search for some common ground to establish a basis for future sessions.

The New York Times

To establish a basis for comparing such ideologies to Nazism, he cited the work of Klaus Theweleit, whose influential 1977 book, "Male Fantasies," explored the psychology of members of the Freikorps, the post-World War I German volunteer armies that eventually became the core of Hitler's storm troopers.

The New York Times

It is hoped that Friday's talks will establish a basis for an interim deal over energy.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "establish a basis for", ensure that the subsequent explanation or development clearly connects to the established foundation. This provides clarity and strengthens the argument or concept.

Common error

Avoid claiming that something "establishes a basis for" a broad or unsupported conclusion. The connection between the basis and the outcome should be logical and well-defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish a basis for" functions as a verb phrase introducing the action of creating a foundation or justification. It often precedes an explanation of how something will be supported or developed. Ludwig confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "establish a basis for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in scientific and news contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to introduce the foundation or rationale behind an idea, argument, or project. When writing, ensure that the connection between the established basis and the subsequent development is clear and well-supported. While there are many alternative phrases like "lay the foundation for" or "provide a rationale for", it's important to choose the one that best fits the specific context and intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lay the foundation for

This alternative emphasizes the creation of a foundational element, similar to "establish a basis for".

present a foundation for

Similar to laying a foundation, this focuses on presenting the fundamental elements.

create a groundwork for

Emphasizes the preparatory work involved in setting up a foundation.

provide a rationale for

This option focuses on giving reasons or justification, which is a specific type of basis.

develop a rationale for

This alternative emphasizes the process of creating a reasoned justification.

set the stage for

This idiom suggests preparing for a future event or development, implying a basis is being created.

build a case for

Focuses on creating an argument or justification, which serves as a basis.

offer justification for

Stresses the act of providing reasons to support something.

form a starting point for

Highlights the beginning or initiation of something, with an implied basis.

outline the principles for

This alternative focuses on defining the core principles that will serve as a basis.

FAQs

How can I use "establish a basis for" in a sentence?

You can use "establish a basis for" to introduce the groundwork or foundation upon which something else will be built or argued. For example, "This research aims to "establish a basis for" future studies on climate change."

What are some alternatives to "establish a basis for"?

Alternatives include "lay the foundation for", "provide a rationale for", or "create a groundwork for", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "establish a basis for" or "provide a basis for"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and usable. "Establish a basis for" suggests a more active creation of the foundation, while "provide a basis for" implies the basis already exists and is being offered. The choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "establish a basis for" and "set the stage for"?

"Establish a basis for" refers to creating a fundamental ground or reason, while "set the stage for" is an idiom meaning to prepare for something to happen. The former is more literal, and the latter more figurative.