on a per-unit basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a per-unit basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts involving calculations, comparisons, or analyses that are measured for each individual unit of something, such as cost, production, or performance. Example: "The cost of production decreased significantly on a per-unit basis, allowing us to increase our profit margins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Ms. Cassady went on, "What amount do you find is a reasonable royalty on a per-unit basis for the total of twelve million five hundred and sixty-four thoneand one hundred and seven units?

The New Yorker

Also component to the above is the idea that the NSA — and therefore the Federal government — has the right to insert itself between, say, Cisco and one of its customers, on a chronic scale that weakens their products on a per-unit basis.

TechCrunch

Some people are asking why it is not on a per-unit basis.

The New York Times

"Garbage collection on a per-unit basis goes way down if all your people are in one place".

The New York Times

Most of these costs will deline on a per-unit basis as a book sells more copies.

The New York Times

The assessments were allocated on a per-unit basis, even though the bylaws require that they be prorated according to each owner's percentage of the common interests.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

In the IEEE RTS-79 test system, the load model gives hourly loads for one year on a per unit basis, expressed in chronological fashion so that daily, weekly and seasonal patterns can be modeled.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Dr Chris Tomkins, who leads AXA PPP's proactive health services, also argues that "on a per unit basis [wearables] are quite expensive for corporate wellbeing plans.

The Guardian

That said, wired devices still make up the lion's share of headphones sold on a per unit basis.

TechCrunch

The fact that the phone costs more on a per unit basis offset that, but moving to an all-premium product portfolio for a broad swath of the company's user base.

TechCrunch

After the initial cost of research and development, cost reduction on a per unit basis should grow significantly over time, leading to Waymo's ability to get a lot closer to reaching prices car OEMs are more comfortable at scale, more quickly.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on a per-unit basis", ensure it's followed by a specific metric or value that is being measured or calculated. For example, "cost on a per-unit basis" or "profit on a per-unit basis".

Common error

Avoid using "on a per-unit basis" when "per unit" is sufficient. The longer phrase can sometimes make the sentence unnecessarily verbose. Choose the shorter option when clarity is not compromised.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a per-unit basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify how a cost, price, or other metric is considered. It clarifies that the assessment applies individually to each item or unit, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on a per-unit basis" is a grammatically correct and professionally recognized way to specify that a calculation or assessment is being made for each individual unit. While interchangeable with the more concise "per unit", it serves to emphasize the individual consideration. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it is followed by the specific metric being measured. Avoid redundancy by opting for the shorter "per unit" when appropriate to enhance clarity. Ludwig confirms the phrase's usability and provides numerous examples of its application across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

per unit

Omits the "on a ... basis" portion, making it more concise.

on a unit basis

A shorter version that removes the word "per" without changing the core meaning.

for each unit

Replaces "per-unit" with "for each", emphasizing individual consideration.

per item

Substitutes "unit" with "item", useful when referring to countable objects.

unit by unit

Highlights a sequential consideration of each unit.

calculated per single unit

Highlights that calculation is performed individually for each unit.

for every item

Expands "per item" to explicitly state 'for every'.

each and every unit

Amplifies the individual aspect, ensuring no unit is overlooked.

by the single unit

Emphasizes the focus on individual units, with added specificity.

individually

Focuses on the separate and distinct nature of the assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "on a per-unit basis" in a sentence?

Use "on a per-unit basis" to specify that a cost, price, or another value is being considered for each individual item. For example, "We calculate our expenses "per unit"."

What are some alternatives to "on a per-unit basis"?

Alternatives include "per unit", "for each unit", or "on a unit basis". Choose the phrase that best fits the context and maintains clarity.

Is it better to say "per unit" or "on a per-unit basis"?

Both phrases are correct, but "per unit" is generally more concise and preferred in most situations. "On a per-unit basis" can be used for emphasis, but avoid redundancy. You can compare our expenses "unit by unit", or "calculated per single unit".

What does "on a per-unit basis" mean?

It means considering something individually for each unit or item. It is commonly used in cost analysis, manufacturing, and sales to determine values associated with single items.