on an absolute basis

USAGE SUMMARY

"on an absolute basis" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that is being considered or evaluated without any comparison or relative reference point. It is often used in a professional or academic context to describe data, statistics, or facts. Example: "The company's profits increased by 10% on an absolute basis, but when compared to the industry average, it was only a 5% growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

In fact, the term asphaltenes being a solubility class has a relative meaning and it should not be taken on an absolute basis, as one can do with a compound class.

Applied Petrochemical Research

The question is, will value outperform on an absolute basis sufficiently well to make it attractive?

The New York Times

"On an absolute basis, the market still looks expensive," he added.

The New York Times

None of these television options seemed very attractive, at least on an absolute basis.

The Guardian - Money

"On an absolute basis, these things are fully priced," said David L. LaBonte, an analyst at Salomon Smith Barney.

The New York Times

On an absolute basis, the dollar value of China's trade surplus was 45 percent below its peak in 2008.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

While education grouping was on an absolute basis i.e. the highest level of education attainment, irrespective of country of residence wealth quintiles were derived from the asset index, which scored the relative position of each household comparing to others within each country.

BMC Public Health

We ended the first quarter 2012 around the high end of our normal 4 to 6 week channel inventory range, but on an absolute unit basis, channel inventories declined sequentially.

TechCrunch

Based on the preliminary view, Nokia ended the first quarter 2012 around the high end of our normal 4 to 6 week channel inventory range, but on an absolute unit basis, channel inventories declined sequentially.

TechCrunch

The letter said that while the proxy advisers and some shareholders were focusing on a multibillion-dollar trading loss in the company's chief investment office in London in 2012, the board should be evaluated on the company's broader performance, which it described as "very strong on a relative and absolute basis".

The New York Times

On a relative and absolute basis, what returns are in order for small-caps in the year ahead?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on an absolute basis" to clarify that you are discussing figures, values, or assessments independently of any comparative benchmarks or relative scales.

Common error

Avoid using "on an absolute basis" when a relative comparison is actually intended. Ensure clarity by explicitly stating whether you are evaluating something in isolation or in relation to other factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on an absolute basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify that an evaluation or consideration is made without reference to any external factors or comparisons. Ludwig AI shows that its use clarifies the scope of analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on an absolute basis" is a useful adverbial phrase that indicates a consideration made without comparison to other factors. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that you truly intend to exclude any relative benchmarks, as misusing it can lead to confusion. Remember to choose alternative phrases like ""in absolute terms"" to ensure variety and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in absolute terms

This alternative emphasizes the consideration of something purely based on its numerical or factual value, without reference to other factors.

without comparison

This alternative clearly states the absence of any comparative element in the assessment.

independently of other factors

This highlights the isolation of the subject from any external influences or related data.

in isolation

This suggests that the subject is being considered separately from its context or related items.

considered alone

This simple alternative focuses on the act of evaluating something by itself.

as a standalone value

This emphasizes the self-contained nature of the value being discussed, viewed separately from any relationships.

on its own merits

This implies that the subject is judged solely based on its inherent qualities, irrespective of external comparisons.

in a self-contained manner

This suggests a complete and separate evaluation, focusing only on the internal aspects of the subject.

devoid of relativity

This emphasizes the lack of any relative or comparative context in the evaluation.

purely and simply

This highlights a straightforward and uncomplicated evaluation, free from extraneous considerations.

FAQs

How can I use "on an absolute basis" in a sentence?

Use "on an absolute basis" to indicate that something is being considered without comparing it to anything else. For example, "The project's budget increased "in absolute terms", regardless of the percentage change".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "on an absolute basis"?

You can use phrases such as ""in absolute terms"", "without comparison", or "independently of other factors" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "on an absolute basis" versus a relative comparison?

Use "on an absolute basis" when you want to highlight the raw value or quantity of something. Use a relative comparison when you want to show how something compares to a benchmark or other data point.

What's the difference between evaluating something "on an absolute basis" and evaluating it "relatively"?

Evaluating something "on an absolute basis" means considering it "in isolation", while evaluating it relatively means comparing it to something else. For example, an increase in revenue can be positive "in absolute terms" but poor compared to the industry average.