on a certain basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a certain basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific foundation or criteria for an action or decision. Example: "The committee will evaluate the proposals on a certain basis to ensure fairness in the selection process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is an acceptance that the future is uncertain, but that we can plan on a certain basis for it".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The system's goal should be prompt disposition of cases on a fair and certain basis.

The New Yorker

However, constraints on certain basis characteristics are necessary to enhance the detection of local wave-form changes caused by certain types of gear damage.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Example Yield Spreads The spread on a certain corporate bond might be 200 basis points above the current 10-year Treasury.

Forbes

One does not need to know how technical devices operate, but with some experience, one can expect a certain output on a regular basis.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

It also found that the agency, in some cases, "had not rendered a final decision on a timely basis" for certain requests for confidential treatment "thus affording certain filers de facto confidential treatment of their 13F reports".

The New York Times

Furthermore, if one extracts social networks from a group of people on a regular basis over a certain period, the temporal change or stability of the relationship between group members in the period can be monitored.

Plosone

It is indeed concerned with reconstructing functions on a basis of certain functional information, which are linear in many cases.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

We need to increase the public accountability of these boards, to include members of the outside community, to compel them to produce annual reports of what they approved, disapproved and why, and to require an annual system of auditing on a random basis of a certain percentage of those studies.

The New York Times - Health

Williams explains that CT means facilities need to reduce their emissions on a yearly basis until a certain level is met (the "declining cap").

Huffington Post

How many hours does it require to maintain a certain item on a monthly basis?

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on a certain basis", ensure the "basis" is clearly defined or understood within the context to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Decisions were made "on a certain basis", namely, projected profitability."

Common error

Avoid using "on a certain basis" without specifying what that basis is. Leaving it undefined makes your statement weak and open to misinterpretation. Be specific about the criteria or foundation you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a certain basis" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the conditions or criteria under which an action is performed or a decision is made. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on a certain basis" is grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, but it is relatively rare in usage. Its primary function is to indicate that something is done or decided based on specific conditions or criteria. However, its strength lies in its generality, which also happens to be its weakness: using it without further clarification can lead to vagueness. While it appears in diverse contexts such as news, science, and general writing, more explicit and specific language is generally preferred, especially in formal settings. Better alternatives are, for example, "based on specific criteria" or "according to a defined standard".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a particular foundation

Replaces "certain" with "particular", emphasizing the specificity of the foundation.

based on a specific criterion

Substitutes "basis" with "criterion" and "certain" with "specific", focusing on a defined standard.

according to a defined standard

Emphasizes adherence to a pre-set standard rather than a general basis.

on a predetermined ground

Highlights that the basis was established beforehand.

under a specific condition

Replaces "basis" with "condition", suggesting a requirement that must be met.

subject to a defined rule

Implies that something is governed by a particular rule or regulation.

grounded in a selected principle

Focuses on a guiding principle as the underlying reason.

predicated on a given element

Stresses that something relies on a specific element or factor.

contingent upon a specified aspect

Highlights that something depends on a particular aspect.

rooted in a determined element

Emphasizes that something is deeply connected to a determined element

FAQs

How can I use "on a certain basis" in a sentence?

You can use "on a certain basis" to indicate that something is done or decided according to specific criteria or conditions. For example, "Employees are evaluated "on a certain basis", including performance and attendance."

What are some alternatives to "on a certain basis"?

Alternatives include "based on specific criteria", "according to a defined standard", or "subject to a defined rule". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to be specific instead of using "on a certain basis"?

In most cases, being specific is clearer and more effective. Instead of saying "Decisions were made "on a certain basis"", it's better to state the criteria directly: "Decisions were made based on projected revenue and market share."

What does "on a certain basis" imply?

It implies that there are specific, though perhaps not explicitly stated, reasons or conditions that influence a decision or action. However, because it is not specific, it's usually better to use a more explicit phrase.