have no basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have no basis" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something does not have a solid foundation or justification. It can be used in various contexts, including legal, scientific, or personal situations. Example: The accusations made against him have no basis in evidence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The accusations have no basis in fact".

The New York Times

"They have no basis here.

The New York Times

They have no basis in economics.

The Guardian

They have no basis in fact," she said.

The Guardian

The accusations have no basis, Mr. Charney said.

The New York Times

"They have no basis for closing the trial," she said.

The New York Times

So, for me, I really have no basis of comparison.

The New York Times - Arts

You have no basis for making this statement.

The Economist

"I have no basis for believing that Courtney is going to be withdrawing support".

The New York Times

He also said the charges against Mr. Ferriero "have no basis in either law or fact".

The New York Times

That this assertion appears to have no basis in fact has not affected the President's statements.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "have no basis" with a clear explanation of why the assertion lacks foundation. This adds strength and persuasiveness to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "have no basis" when there's only a weak or questionable basis, not a complete absence. Using words like "questionable basis" can be more fitting for situations where the evidence is not completely absent, but it is flimsy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have no basis" functions as a declarative statement used to express a lack of foundation or justification for a claim, belief, or action. It asserts that something is without merit or support. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have no basis" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to assert the lack of foundation or justification for a claim or action. It appears frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and science, as highlighted by Ludwig. The phrase's versatility makes it appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to specify what exactly lacks a basis and explain why. Alternatives include "lack foundation", "are unfounded", and "are without merit". However, avoid overstating the absence of a basis when a weak basis exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack foundation

This alternative directly replaces "have no basis" with a more concise expression of the same concept.

are unfounded

This alternative shifts from a verb phrase to an adjective, describing something as not being based on fact or evidence.

are groundless

Similar to "are unfounded", this adjective emphasizes the lack of solid ground or support for something.

are without merit

This alternative focuses on the lack of value or worth in something, suggesting it doesn't deserve consideration.

are unsubstantiated

This alternative highlights the lack of proof or evidence to support a claim or statement.

lack supporting evidence

This phrase directly points out the absence of evidence as the reason for the claim's weakness.

rest on nothing

This metaphor suggests the claim has no support or foundation, implying it is weak and unreliable.

are purely speculative

This alternative indicates that claims are based on conjecture rather than concrete facts.

are built on sand

This idiomatic expression emphasizes that claims are unstable and likely to collapse because they lack a solid base.

do not hold water

This idiomatic expression implies that a claim or argument is weak and does not stand up to scrutiny.

FAQs

How can I use "have no basis" in a sentence?

You can use "have no basis" to express that something lacks a foundation or justification. For instance, "The accusations against her "have no basis" in fact."

What's a more formal way to say "have no basis"?

A more formal alternative to "have no basis" could be "lack foundation" or "are unsubstantiated". These options provide a similar meaning but with a more elevated tone.

What can I say instead of "have no basis"?

You can use alternatives like "are unfounded", "are groundless", or "are without merit" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "have no basis"?

Use "have no basis" when you want to strongly assert that a claim, argument, or belief is completely without foundation or evidence. Be sure you are not overstating your point by using stronger words than needed.