on a competitive basis

USAGE SUMMARY

"on a competitive basis" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something is done or decided based on a competition or comparison with others. It is often used in business or academic contexts. For example, "The scholarship will be awarded on a competitive basis to the top three students with the highest grades and extracurricular involvement." This means that the scholarship will be given to the students who perform the best and stand out among their peers. Another example could be, "The company hires new employees on a competitive basis, considering their qualifications and experience compared to other applicants." This means that the company selects new employees based on their abilities and achievements in comparison to other applicants.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

We need to build on the successful National Institute of Health Research model to create a National Institute of Health Education and Training (NIHET) that would commission postgraduate education and training from providers on a competitive basis, similar to the competition for NIHR Biomedical Research Centres / Biomedical Research Units

The Guardian

"Ukraine should think about how to maximize international participation on a competitive basis," he said.

The New York Times

The federal government distributes Section 8 vouchers on a competitive basis based on use.

The New York Times

"If you don't want to do it on a competitive basis, the conclusions are obvious".

The New York Times

Public funds should be granted on a competitive basis, without any regard for political affiliation.

The New York Times

"U.A.C. should make a product the airlines will choose, on a competitive basis," Mr. Syssoev said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

As global demand for oil typically increases from May to August, "there is a clear, urgent need for additional supplies on a more competitive basis to be made available to refiners to prevent a further tightening of the market," it said.

The New York Times

Furthermore, whereas French research groups traditionally have received national public funding mostly through their own research agency or university and through specific calls from French ministries, several national agencies have been set up to fund more research projects on a nationwide competitive basis, such as the Agence National de la Recherche (ANR) or the Institut National du Cancer.

Science Magazine

As global demand for oil increases seasonally from May to August, IEA members said there was a clear and urgent need for additional supplies to be made to refiners on a "more competitive basis".

Huffington Post

In Europe and the United States, oil extraction is carried out in large factories that operate on an extremely competitive basis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By now, China has acquired virtually all of the technological know-how to enter the commercial aircraft market on an internationally competitive basis.

Futures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing funding allocation or resource distribution, use "on a competitive basis" to clearly convey that the awards are based on merit and performance, not on favoritism or other non-objective criteria.

Common error

Avoid using "on a competitive basis" when you actually mean a "competitive advantage". The former describes a selection process, while the latter describes a beneficial attribute or condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a competitive basis" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As confirmed by Ludwig, it specifies that an action, such as awarding funds or selecting candidates, is done through a competitive process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Reference

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a competitive basis" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a process where decisions are made based on competition and merit. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are emphasizing the selection process rather than a static advantage. Rephrasing options include "through competitive selection" or "based on merit". By understanding its usage and potential alternatives, you can effectively communicate the fairness and objectivity of a selection process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through competitive selection

Focuses specifically on the selection process itself, implying a structured competition.

based on merit

Emphasizes that the decision is made according to qualifications and achievements.

through a bidding process

Highlights the act of submitting bids in order to win something.

by means of a contest

Implies a structured event where participants vie for a prize or recognition.

using a competitive approach

Highlights a strategy that prioritizes outperforming the competitors.

in a competitive environment

Emphasizes the environment or situation where entities compete with each other.

through open competition

Underscores that the competition is accessible and without barriers.

by competitive tendering

Highlights the invitation to tender in order to get the best offers.

by challenging contenders

Emphasizes the act of challenging rivals.

subject to competition

Highlights that a service, market or activity is being performed by rivals entities.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "on a competitive basis" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "through competitive selection", "based on merit", or "subject to a bidding process" to convey a similar meaning with heightened formality. These alternatives emphasize structure, qualifications, and procedural rigor, respectively.

What does it mean when something is awarded "on a competitive basis"?

When something is awarded "on a competitive basis", it means that it is given to the entity that performs the best according to specific criteria, as assessed in comparison to other entities seeking the same award or opportunity. This selection is made through a "competitive selection" process.

Is it correct to say "on a non-competitive basis"?

Yes, it is correct to say "on a non-competitive basis". It means that something is provided or distributed without requiring applicants or recipients to compete against one another. The opposite concept is to provide something "through competitive selection".

Which is more appropriate: "awarded on merit" or "awarded on a competitive basis"?

Both "awarded on merit" and "awarded on a competitive basis" are appropriate, but they emphasize different aspects. "Awarded on merit" highlights the qualifications and achievements of the recipient, while "awarded on a competitive basis" emphasizes the selection process involving comparison and ranking. It depends on if you want to emphasize that the best candidate received the reward or that there was a specific competitive process.