on a subscription basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'on a subscription basis' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a type of arrangement where a customer pays a regular fee to receive a product or service. For example, "We offer our streaming service on a subscription basis, so you can watch your favorite shows without any ads".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All three packages are sold on a subscription basis with Essentials costing £49.99 a month.

TechCrunch

ShoeDazzle sells shoes on a subscription basis.

The New York Times

There's nothing new about selling products on a subscription basis.

The New York Times

These tools will be offered on a subscription basis.

The New York Times

Register.com sells domain names on a subscription basis.

The New York Times

For his new business, Mr. Zhardanovsky's plan was to sell pet food on a subscription basis.

The New York Times

Some of its content is available on a subscription basis outside the country.

The New York Times - Tech

In a typically Middle Eastern Catch-22, they are technically permitted on a subscription basis.

The New York Times

EMusic (emusic.com) sells access to 175,000 songs from 750 record labels on a subscription basis.

The New York Times - Tech

VeriChat is sold on a subscription basis, and brings in $20 per user per year, collected via PayPal.

The Economist

In January, the Hollywood Stock Exchange plans to start selling its research findings on a subscription basis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a product or service offered "on a subscription basis", clearly state the benefits and frequency of the subscription to attract potential customers.

Common error

Avoid using "on a subscription basis" when describing one-time purchases or pay-per-use models. Clearly differentiate it from these alternatives in your writing to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a subscription basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate how a product or service is offered. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “on a subscription basis” is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a payment model where customers pay recurring fees for access to products or services. As Ludwig AI explains, its usage is widespread in news, media, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clear communication about the benefits and terms of the subscription to avoid confusion with other payment methods. Remember to distinguish it from one-time purchases and pay-per-use models for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

via subscription

This alternative shortens the expression while maintaining the same meaning; it's more concise.

with a subscription

This is a more succinct variant of the original phrase.

through a subscription model

This alternative emphasizes the business model rather than the payment method.

with a recurring subscription

This alternative explicitly mentions that the subscription is recurring.

on a recurring payment plan

This alternative highlights the payment aspect and its recurring nature.

via a subscription service

This alternative emphasizes the service aspect of the subscription.

for a subscription fee

This alternative focuses on the fee paid for the subscription.

by subscribing

This alternative uses a verb form, emphasizing the action of subscribing.

using a subscription

This alternative suggests the act of utilizing the subscription.

through membership

This alternative is more general and might include benefits beyond just access.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "on a subscription basis"?

You can use alternatives like "via subscription", "through a subscription model", or "with a recurring subscription" to convey a similar meaning.

What does it mean to offer a service "on a subscription basis"?

Offering a service "on a subscription basis" means that customers pay a recurring fee, typically monthly or annually, to access the service. This differs from one-time purchases or pay-per-use models.

Which is correct: "on a subscription basis" or "on subscription basis"?

"On a subscription basis" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. Omitting the article "a" makes the phrase grammatically incorrect.

How to use "on a subscription basis" in a sentence?

You can use "on a subscription basis" to describe how a product or service is offered. For example, "The streaming service is available "on a subscription basis" for $10 per month."