on a weight basis

USAGE SUMMARY

"on a weight basis" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being measured or calculated based on weight rather than another unit of measurement. Example: "The recipe calls for 2 cups of flour, but if you prefer, you can also measure the flour on a weight basis, using 250 grams instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Angiotensin II is one of the most active vasoconstrictors known; on a weight basis it is significantly more potent than norepinephrine.

Britannica

If you did it on a weight basis, you might overdose the child.

The New York Times - Health

On a weight basis, the consumption of wood exceeds by far that of other materials.

Britannica

On a weight basis, the abundance of silicon in the crust of Earth is exceeded only by oxygen.

Britannica

On a weight basis, the metabolism of aspartame generates approximately 50% phenylalanine, 40% aspartic acid and 10% methanol.

Journal of Taibah University for Science

Fat is sometimes called nature's storehouse of energy because on a weight basis it contains more than twice as much energy as does carbohydrate or protein.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Woody biomass is currently sold on a weight basis, practical moisture sensors are essential for fair sales, especially in energy markets.

Biosystems Engineering

Plastics have surpassed steel on a volume basis about 1983 and by the start of this century, plastics surpassed steel on a weight basis.

Reinforced Plastics Handbook

The purified recombinant des-pE1M-brazzein had an intrinsic sweetness in its minor form, approximately 2130 times sweeter than sucrose on a weight basis.

Protein Expression and Purification

So you can't simply do it on a weight basis; you have to understand how you're administering the drug — whether inhaled, topical, oral, or intravenous — and what organs within the body break it down and excrete it.

The New Yorker

So you can't simply do it on a weight basis; you have to understand how you're administering the drug whether inhaled, topical, oral, or intravenous and what organs within the body break it down and excrete it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "on a weight basis", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared or measured in relation to weight. For example, "The sweetness of the artificial sweetener is 2000 times that of sugar on a weight basis."

Common error

Avoid using "on a weight basis" when comparing volumes or molar quantities. The phrase is specifically for comparisons where weight is the relevant metric. Instead of saying "The reaction rate was faster on a weight basis", consider clarifying if the rate is per mole or per volume.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a weight basis" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective by specifying the criterion for a comparison or measurement. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates the phrase is used to provide context for how something is being evaluated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on a weight basis" is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier, primarily used to specify that a comparison or measurement is based on weight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase often found in formal and scientific contexts. Its purpose is to provide clarity and precision, ensuring that weight is the parameter being considered. While very common in scientific literature, encyclopedias, and news reports, it is less frequent in general or informal writing. When using the phrase, ensure that it aligns with the context, and weight is indeed the relevant metric for comparison. Alternatives include "based on weight" and "by weight".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on weight

Directly states the measurement is determined by weight.

by weight

A shorter, more concise way to express the same idea.

weight-normalized

Indicates data has been adjusted to account for differences in weight.

per unit of weight

Emphasizes the ratio relative to a standard weight measurement.

in proportion to weight

Highlights the direct relationship between weight and another variable.

relative to its weight

Focuses on comparing something to its own weight.

weight-specific

Data or values are calculated or adjusted considering only weight.

depending on the weight

Highlights that weight is the determining factor.

as a function of weight

Describes how weight influences or changes another variable.

normalized for weight

Highlights the process of adjusting data to negate the effect of weight differences.

FAQs

How do I use "on a weight basis" in a sentence?

Use "on a weight basis" to specify that a comparison or measurement is based on weight rather than volume or another metric. For example, "The fertilizer should be applied at a rate of 10 grams per square meter on a weight basis".

What does "on a weight basis" mean?

The phrase "on a weight basis" means that something is being measured or compared according to weight. For example, if a material is said to be stronger than another "on a weight basis", it means that for the same weight, it can withstand greater force.

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

You can use alternatives like "based on weight", "by weight", or "in proportion to weight" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "on a weight basis"?

It's appropriate to use "on a weight basis" when you need to clarify that a comparison or measurement is specifically related to the weight of a substance, rather than other factors like volume, cost or molarity.