on a fee basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a fee basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a service or arrangement where payment is made based on a fee rather than a salary or other compensation structure. Example: "The consultant will provide their services on a fee basis, ensuring that all costs are transparent and agreed upon in advance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Q. Are you fee- or commission-based? A. We work on a fee basis.

The New York Times

Quattro is serving as the developer on a fee basis and has no ownership in the property.

The New York Times

During Mr. Galbraith's term as Ambassador there, the snake charmer was not an Embassy employee, but was paid on a fee basis at so much a snake.

The New Yorker

This Josef guy seems like he was almost on a fee basis: I'll go find a crime and you give me a fee.

The New Yorker

Now the agencies are mostly being paid on a fee basis, so they should be less reluctant to use other media.

The Economist

Herman E. Bulls, chief executive of the company's public institutions group, said it did not invest in university real estate ventures but operated as a developer on a fee basis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

From 2002 to 2004, Lighthouse was the only public-sector ART clinic for the central and northern region and about 60 patients started each month on a fee-basis ("paying period").

BMC Infectious Diseases

The case was initiated by George Shattuck of Bond, Schoeneck & King(BS&K), on a contingency fee basis rather than as a pro bono matter.

Wikipedia

In 2008, a Milwaukee County circuit court judge, John Siefert, sued the state on a contingency fee basis, asserting his right to be identified as a Democrat.

The New York Times

Subsequent deals after the first are not sold on commission, either: businesses are instead charged on a fixed fee basis, Qype says, regardless of how many get sold.

TechCrunch

Carter Ruck write that they are acting on a conditional fee basis and will be taking out an insurance policy for £100,000 worth of legal cover.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying payment terms, use "on a fee basis" to clearly indicate that services are compensated with a specific fee, ensuring transparency and avoiding confusion with other compensation structures like salaries or commissions.

Common error

Avoid using "on a fee basis" when the payment is actually based on commission, a percentage of profits, or an hourly wage. Clearly state the specific payment structure to ensure accurate communication and prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a fee basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how a service is compensated. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase describes payment for services, rather than a salary.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on a fee basis" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase that describes a payment arrangement for services rendered, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it finds its primary usage in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, make sure the payment is indeed a fee, and not a salary or a commission. Alternatives include "for a fee" or "on a paid basis", offering more concise options. Understanding the proper usage of "on a fee basis" ensures clear and accurate communication in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a fee

More concise alternative, omitting the preposition "on" and noun "basis".

on a paid basis

Replaces "fee" with the adjective "paid", emphasizing that the service is not free.

per service rendered

More formal, emphasizing the payment for each individual service.

for hire

Implies that services are available in exchange for payment.

for a fixed charge

Similar to "at a set price", but uses the word "charge".

on a contractual basis

Focuses on the agreement and contract surrounding payment.

at a set price

Indicates that the cost is pre-determined and fixed.

on a commission basis

Specifies that payment is a percentage of sales rather than a fixed fee.

on a project basis

Highlights that payment is tied to the completion of a specific project.

based on an hourly rate

Specifies that the fee is calculated per hour of work.

FAQs

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

You can use "on a fee basis" to describe an arrangement where payment is made for services rendered, rather than a salary or commission. For example, "The consultant will be working "for a fee"."

What are some alternatives to saying "on a fee basis"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""for a fee"", "on a paid basis", or "per service rendered", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "on a fee basis" or "for free" when something is paid for?

"On a fee basis" indicates that payment is required for a service, while "for free" means there is no charge. These phrases have opposite meanings. Use "on a fee basis" for paid services.

What is the difference between working "on a fee basis" and "on a commission basis"?

Working "on a fee basis" means payment is for services rendered, often a fixed amount. "On a commission basis" means payment is a percentage of sales or revenue generated. The difference lies in how the payment is calculated.