loosely based on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'loosely based on' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is inspired by another thing, but not an exact replication. For example, you could say "This song is loosely based on a traditional folk melody."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then Mr. Frampton starred in "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," a 1978 film loosely based on Beatles songs.

The New York Times - Arts

At one point Crawford tells his friend Jim Stark, who is loosely based on Kinder himself, "Will you please pass that joint, please," echoing Carver's most famous title as well as his distinctive manner of speech.

The New York Times - Books

Among his other books are "The Best Thing That Ever Happened" (1952), a novel about the romance of a white World War II Marine deserter and a black woman in the South, and "The Starrs of Texas" (1978), a fanciful account of a department store dynasty loosely based on Neiman Marcus.

The New York Times

The PT is loosely based on the Neon subcompact (currently sold with both Plymouth and Dodge badges. The company hopes to get $5,000 to $7,000 more per car than it gets from the Neon.

Forbes

Here's how Savsunenko explains the technology underpinning the Let's Enhance service: "The core of our Hallucinating AI is a deep neural network with custom architecture loosely based on modern GAN approach (GAN — Generative Adversarial Network).

TechCrunch

It has also ordered "Arrow," a drama based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow, and "Beauty and the Beast," a drama loosely based on a CBS show in the 1980s that had the same name.

The New York Times

Loosely based on the BBC series "Criminal Justice," the aim of "The Night Of" was to take the idea of an examination of the legal system and delve into the details that make America's criminal justice system unique, executive producer and writer Richard Price said. .

Los Angeles Times

Because no satisfactory pain and distress instrument was found, the Critically Ill Adults (CIA) scale was developed loosely based on the COMFORT scale.

Critical Care

The current physical layer design uses an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) implementation that is loosely based on the PHY layer of the 802.11a standard.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The system that we have investigated with HSIM is a simplified one loosely based on the PTS and glycolysis in E. coli which, although intensely studied for many years, is still imperfectly understood.

BMC Systems Biology

The hotel, which is loosely based on the Art & Woonhotel in Rotterdam, is the brainchild of Albyn Housing Society, a housing association, and the Calman Trust.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "loosely based on", clarify the key differences or adaptations made from the original source to avoid misleading your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "loosely based on" when the connection is minimal or tenuous; instead, opt for phrases like "inspired by" or "suggested by" to accurately reflect the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loosely based on" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject with its source of inspiration or origin. It qualifies the relationship, indicating that the subject is derived from but not identical to the source.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "loosely based on" is a common and correct phrase used to describe a connection between two works, where one draws inspiration or elements from the other without being a direct adaptation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for written English. This phrase is prevalent in news, media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using "loosely based on", clarity is key; ensure you accurately represent the degree of influence and any significant deviations from the original source to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influenced by

A broader term indicating that a source has had an impact, without specifying the extent.

modeled after

Indicates that something is designed to follow the pattern or structure of something else.

inspired by

Indicates a more direct creative influence, suggesting a strong source of inspiration.

informed by

Highlights the knowledge or understanding gained from a source, shaping the current work.

partially derived from

Emphasizes the element of origin and source of input, where source is a subset of the whole.

adapted from

Implies a more structured transformation from an original work, often involving significant changes.

drawing inspiration from

Highlights the act of actively seeking and using inspiration from a source.

with roots in

Suggests a fundamental connection to an earlier work or concept, emphasizing historical basis.

suggested by

Indicates a subtle influence or a possible connection, without implying substantial dependence.

bearing resemblance to

Focuses on similarities in form or content, without necessarily implying direct influence.

FAQs

How can I use "loosely based on" in a sentence?

You can use "loosely based on" to describe a work that takes inspiration from another source but deviates significantly, like "The movie is "loosely based on" a true story but includes fictional elements".

What can I say instead of "loosely based on"?

You can use alternatives like "inspired by", "adapted from", or "drawing inspiration from" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "loosely based off" of something else?

While "loosely based off of" might be heard in informal speech, ""loosely based on"" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "loosely based on" and "inspired by"?

"Loosely based on" suggests a general framework or plot point is borrowed, while "inspired by" indicates a more thematic or conceptual influence.