on a total basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a total basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial or analytical contexts to indicate that a measurement or calculation is being considered in its entirety, rather than in parts or segments. Example: "The company's revenue increased by 10% on a total basis compared to last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When you look at those funds on a total basis, no one has made a dime, except the fund companies.

Forbes

We examined PBDE serum concentrations on a congener-specific basis as well as on a total basis [sum of five congeners (∑PBDE)].

Environmental Health Perspectives

The dietary intake of PUFA was calculated both on a total basis (g day 1) and on a body weight basis (g kg 1 bw day 1) using the relevant data from the EFSA Comprehensive National Food Consumption Database in each case.

Food Additives and Contaminants - Part A Chemistry, Analysis, Control, Exposure and Risk Assessment

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Of all the screens put out by AAII, the Zweig screen ranks number one on a total return basis, up 1,735.9% since its 1998 inception!

Forbes

We re-ran models excluding outliers with externally studentized residuals > 3. We also applied separate models expressing PBDEs on a total lipid basis, and on a serum basis while including triglycerides and total cholesterol as covariates in models, and by expressing ∑PBDEs on a weight and molar basis.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Duplicate compositional analysis was performed for each pretreatment condition and the results are presented on a total composition basis rather than an extractives-free basis.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Hence, although the overall levels of individual sugars in any one tissue vary between cultivars on a total weight basis, the ratios between the component sugars are almost unchanged.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Since the end of 1979, investing in dividend-paying stocks in the S.& P. 500 would have earned you 11.6 percent a year, on average, on a total return basis, versus 10.5percentt for the overall index.

The New York Times

If you look at the actual fee the hedge fund is getting on a total capital basis, then, it can be argued it is in the nature of just three or four basis points, much lower than a mutual fund.

Forbes

Here are three high-yield bonds that look good to me on a total return basis: ValuJet Airlines has suffered from horrific publicity after one of its planes crashed last May.

Forbes

Fox easily leads the other cable networks in that demographic on a total day basis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on a total basis", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being considered in its entirety. This avoids ambiguity and makes your statement more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "on a total basis" when referring to a sample or a part of a larger whole. The phrase implies consideration of the complete set or amount, not just a portion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a total basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify how something is being considered or evaluated. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in financial and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a total basis" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to emphasize a comprehensive or holistic evaluation. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's relatively rare in usage. Its primary function is to highlight that something is being considered in its entirety, rather than partially. It appears most frequently in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being assessed in its totality to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in total

A simpler and more direct way of saying the same thing.

in aggregate

This alternative emphasizes the combination of separate units into a single whole.

in the aggregate

Similar to "in aggregate" but slightly more formal.

overall

This alternative is a more general term for considering everything together.

in entirety

This phrase stresses the completeness of the consideration.

taken as a whole

This highlights the holistic view of the subject matter.

on the whole

Implies a general assessment considering all aspects.

in its totality

Emphasizes the complete and comprehensive aspect.

cumulatively

Focuses on the accumulation of individual parts.

collectively

Highlights the combined action or consideration.

FAQs

What does "on a total basis" mean?

The phrase "on a total basis" means considering something in its entirety, rather than in parts or segments. It's often used in finance and analysis to refer to aggregate figures or overall assessments.

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

You can use "on a total basis" to describe how something is being evaluated. For example, "The company's revenue increased by 10% "in total" compared to last year, on a total basis."

What can I say instead of "on a total basis"?

You can use alternatives like "in aggregate", "overall", or ""in total"" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "on a total basis" and "on average"?

"On a total basis" considers the entirety of something, whereas "on average" calculates a mean value. They are not interchangeable. For example, one might discuss total revenue "on a total basis", while discussing average customer spending "on average".