Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
lack a basis in
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "lack a basis in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not have a foundation or justification in a particular context or subject matter. Example: "The claims made in the article seem to lack a basis in scientific research."
✓ Grammatically correct
Academia
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(5)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
Her lawyer, Greg Murphy, had called the Governor's appeal "frivolous" and lacking a basis in law.
News & Media
The concept of an ideal sitting posture is often used in practice but lacks a basis in evidence.
Finally, as indicated in text, I do not propose that a warrant clearly lacking a basis in probable cause can support a "good faith" defense to invocation of the exclusionary rule.
Academia
Last week, the program encountered its first important challenge when Jeremy Rifkin, a persistent opponent of genetic research and technology, sued in Federal District Court here, contending that the new definitions lacked a basis in sound scientific theory.
News & Media
This raises the ethical dilemma of how emergency physicians and ED staff can rapidly determine whether patient refusal of treatment recommendations is based on intact decision making capacity and how to respond in an appropriate manner when the declining of necessary care by the patient is lacking a basis in informed judgment.
Academia
The lone dissent was by Justice Clarence Thomas, who said both Ginsburg and Alito's analyses got it wrong, and disputed the idea that the defendants in the case had "a right to an automatic refund". He wrote that the majority's conclusion lacked a basis in federal or state law.
News & Media
Mr Costa's report is full of fine-sounding idealism, but the ideals and the good intentions suffer from the unfortunate defect of generally lacking a basis in reality.
Science
This survey reaches a conclusion: most of them lack a methodological basis; in general, they do not even mention possible dynamics of change that would allow establishing indicators to monitor the evolution of the phenomenon.
70, 71 Without knowing how Batwa ethnicity and inadequate nutrient intake respectively contributed to individuals' MUACs, we lacked a basis for interpreting observed MUAC measurements in the context of international cutoff values and accordingly, identifying wasting in an absolute sense.
As campaigners and thinkers who are led by science and the precautionary principle, and who wish to debate the real and vital issues arising from human-triggered climate change, we will not assist in creating the impression that climate denial should be taken seriously by lending credence to its proponents, by entertaining ideas that lack any basis in fact.
News & Media
The claims that time was in favor of Israel or the Palestinians simply lack any basis in reality.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "lack a basis in" to express that an argument, claim, or belief is not supported by facts, evidence, or reason. It is effective for conveying skepticism or disagreement in a professional and academic setting.
Common error
Avoid using "lack a basis in" to describe something you simply disagree with. Ensure your assessment is based on a genuine absence of supporting evidence or logical reasoning, rather than personal opinion.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "lack a basis in" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express the absence of support or justification for a claim, argument, or belief. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates something is not founded on solid evidence or reasoning, appearing in various contexts ranging from academic to news media.
Frequent in
News & Media
33%
Academia
33%
Science
33%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "lack a basis in" is a grammatically sound construction used to express that something is unsupported by evidence, facts, or reason. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is acceptable in English. While "uncommon" in overall frequency, it is favored in formal contexts like news reporting, academic discourse, and scientific analysis. When using the phrase, ensure that the assertion is genuinely based on a verifiable absence of support, rather than mere disagreement. Alternative expressions such as "lack foundation in" or "be unsupported by" can be used to maintain a professional tone.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
lack foundation in
Replaces "basis" with "foundation", emphasizing the absence of a fundamental support.
be unsupported by
Highlights the absence of evidence or corroboration.
lack justification for
Focuses on the absence of a valid reason or excuse.
be groundless in
Highlights the absence of factual support or validity.
have no grounds for
Emphasizes the absence of a valid reason or justification.
lack a rationale for
Emphasizes the absence of a logical or coherent reason.
be without merit in
Highlights the absence of worth or value in a particular context.
lack substance in
Focuses on the absence of meaningful content or reality.
be without precedent in
Highlights the absence of any prior instance or example.
be devoid of
Emphasizes a complete absence of something essential.
FAQs
How can I use "lack a basis in" in a sentence?
You can use "lack a basis in" to indicate that something is unsupported by facts or evidence. For example: "The accusations "lack a basis in reality"." It's often used to critique arguments or claims.
What's a more formal way to say "lack a basis in"?
More formal alternatives include "be unsupported by" or "lack justification for". These alternatives maintain a professional tone and are suitable for academic or formal writing.
Which is correct: "lacks a basis in" or "lack of basis in"?
"Lacks a basis in" is used when referring to a singular subject (e.g., "The argument lacks a basis in fact"), while "lack of basis in" refers to a noun (e.g., "There is a lack of basis in the evidence"). Both are grammatically correct but used in different contexts.
What can I say instead of "lack a basis in fact"?
You can use phrases like "unfounded", "baseless", or "groundless" to convey that something is not supported by facts. These alternatives are concise and effective.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested