on a consulting basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a consulting basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is providing services or advice in a professional capacity, often temporarily or part-time. Example: "The company hired her on a consulting basis to improve their marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Projects taken on a consulting basis can serve you well and show what you can do".

The New York Times

A talent acquisition specialist fills high-profile and hard to fill roles, working either internally, or on a consulting basis.

Independent

The financial chief, Maria Messina, and the four others will work off-site on a consulting basis through Dec. 28.

The New York Times

A newcomer to the industry will probably need to hire a winemaker, at least on a consulting basis, and may choose to build a winery.

The New York Times

(Last week, the magazine hired its first editor on a consulting basis: Sarah Bartlett, the former editor in chief of Oxygen Media).

The New York Times

But the restaurants run by these chefs, also in hotels but on a consulting basis, did not bear their names and the chefs eventually severed their ties with them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

In order to effectively address the spiritual issues of patients with BMT, participants felt that spiritual care needed to become a formalised and routine aspect of care, rather than an ancillary service that was utilised strictly on a consult basis.

BMJ Open

They may also find themselves advising local and national government on crime and disorder issues, often on a private consulting basis.

Independent

When it becomes easier and faster to start generating income on an independent consulting basis than by applying to work for your company, why would the most marketable candidates stick around in a broken, insulting recruiting pipeline?

Forbes

Save Film at LACMA said Ian Birnie, the film program's former coordinator, is still working on a part-time consulting basis for the museum and that his fate is still being decided by museum leaders.

Los Angeles Times

If at all possible, women should keep working part-time or on a project and consulting basis while they are taking time for caregiving, so that they never leave the workforce completely and will have an easier time ramping up when they are ready.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on a consulting basis", clearly define the scope of work and expected deliverables in a contract to avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid implying that a consultant has authority they don't possess. Use language that reflects their advisory role, not a decision-making position within the company.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a consulting basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by describing the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI shows, it specifies the terms under which someone provides services or advice, typically in a professional context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on a consulting basis" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a professional engagement where someone provides expert advice or services for a fee, typically on a temporary or project-specific basis. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is usable and correct in English. The analysis reveals it functions as an adverbial phrase, specifying the terms of engagement and highlighting the advisory nature of the role. It is most frequently found in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific publications, indicating a professional register. To avoid ambiguity, it's best practice to clearly define the scope of work in a contract, and writers should take care to avoid overstating a consultant's decision-making authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a consultant

This is a more concise way of expressing the same idea, focusing on the role rather than the arrangement.

in a consulting role

Similar to 'as a consultant', it highlights the function performed rather than the terms of engagement.

under a consulting agreement

Specifies that there is a formal, written agreement defining the consulting services.

on a contract basis

Broader term indicating a formal agreement for services, not necessarily consulting.

as an advisor

Highlights the advisory aspect of the role, potentially with less formal engagement.

as an external expert

Highlights that expertise is provided from outside the organization.

in an advisory capacity

Similar to 'as an advisor', but slightly more formal in tone.

as a freelancer

Focuses on the independent nature of the work, lacking the specific expertise implied by consulting.

on a temporary assignment

Emphasizes the limited duration of the work, regardless of the type of service.

on a project basis

Indicates that the work is tied to specific projects, rather than ongoing advice.

FAQs

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

You can use "on a consulting basis" to describe a work arrangement where someone provides expert advice or services for a fee, such as, "The company hired a marketing expert "as a consultant" to improve their branding strategy on a consulting basis."

What's a more concise alternative to "on a consulting basis"?

Alternatives include "as a consultant" or "in a consulting role", which are more succinct while conveying the same meaning.

Is there a difference between working "on a consulting basis" and being "an employee"?

Yes, working "on a consulting basis" usually implies a contractual, non-permanent arrangement where you provide specialized services, whereas being "an employee" involves a permanent position with regular wages and benefits.

What are the key benefits of hiring someone "on a consulting basis"?

Hiring "on a consulting basis" offers flexibility, access to specialized skills for specific projects, and potentially lower costs compared to hiring a full-time employee.