must be based on

USAGE SUMMARY

'must be based on' is correct and usable in written English.
You would use this phrase when explaining a requirement that must be fulfilled for something to be successful. For example: "To achieve a passing grade, your essay must be based on factual evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Talks must be based on existing commitments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Successful empires must be based on hypocrisy.

The New York Times

Salesmanship must be based on fact.

The New York Times

A belief in God must be based on faith.

The New York Times

Each case must be based on merit, without prejudice.

The Guardian

The relationship must be based on mutual respect.

The Guardian

2. Economies must be based on real stuff.

The Guardian - Opinion

Any metric must be based on sound science and evidence.

The Guardian

Surely this must be based on more than emotional guesswork?

The Guardian - Books

And it must be based on the burger".

The New York Times - Magazine

But decisions must be based on scientific evidence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be based on", ensure that the foundational element is clearly defined and logically supports the statement being made. This enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "must be based on" without specifying the foundation. Asserting that something "must be based on evidence" is weakened if the evidence is not identified or explained.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be based on" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a requirement or necessity for something to have a specific foundation. Ludwig confirms this is grammatically correct and commonly used. This suggests that a preceding element necessitates the subsequent element for validity or efficacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must be based on" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent phrase used to express a mandatory foundation or prerequisite. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and versatile across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing, this phrase indicates that a particular element is essential for the validity or success of something else. When employing "must be based on", ensure the foundation is explicitly stated to enhance clarity. While alternatives like "should rely on" and "needs to stem from" exist, they carry slightly different nuances. Using "must be based on" effectively requires careful consideration of the context and intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be predicated on

This alternative emphasizes a logical foundation or assumption, shifting the focus from a general base to a specific premise.

ought to rest on

This conveys a sense of moral obligation or advisability, suggesting the base is not just a foundation but also a justification.

needs to rely upon

This suggests a necessary dependence, implying that the subject cannot function without the base.

has to stem from

This indicates an origin or derivation, focusing on the cause-and-effect relationship between the base and the subject.

should be grounded in

This emphasizes a firm and stable foundation, suggesting the base provides a sense of security and validity.

has to originate from

This highlights the source or starting point, similar to 'stem from' but perhaps with a stronger emphasis on the initial cause.

should arise from

This suggests an emergent quality, implying the subject naturally develops or results from the base.

needs to derive from

This conveys a sense of extraction or attainment, suggesting the subject obtains its qualities or characteristics from the base.

ought to spring from

This evokes a sense of spontaneity or natural emergence, suggesting the base is a source of inspiration or creativity.

needs to be rooted in

This emphasizes deep connection and fundamental dependence between subject and base.

FAQs

How can I use "must be based on" in a sentence?

Use "must be based on" to indicate that something is required to have a foundation or justification, such as "The decision "must be based on" evidence, not emotion."

What are some alternatives to saying "must be based on"?

Alternatives include phrases like "should rely on", "needs to stem from", or "ought to rest on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, instead of saying "the argument must be based on facts", you could say "the argument "needs to stem from" facts".

Is it better to use "should be based on" instead of "must be based on"?

The choice between "should" and "must" depends on the strength of the requirement. "Must" indicates a necessity, while "should" suggests a recommendation or strong advisability. If a foundation is absolutely essential, ""must be based on"" is more appropriate.

What's the difference between "must be based on" and "is based on"?

"Must be based on" implies a requirement or obligation for something to have a particular foundation, while "is based on" simply states a fact about the current foundation. For example, "future agreements "must be based on" performance, not promises" indicates a requirement, while "this decision is based on past experience" states a fact.