on an arbitrary basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on an arbitrary basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or decisions that are made without a specific rule or standard, often implying randomness or lack of consistency. Example: "The committee will review applications on an arbitrary basis, selecting candidates without a defined set of criteria."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

[Editor's Note Welcome to the inaugural post of "I'm Short, Not Stupid," a weekly column focused on highlighting rare and obscure short films under one unifying theme, which will shift on an arbitrary basis.

Vice

"This will stop employers from dismissing people on an arbitrary basis just because they have reached 65," he said.

The Guardian - Money

Yvette Cooper, chair of the Home Affairs committee, said: "I remember the debates on the Dubs amendment and we did not discuss ruling out 13-year-old and 14-year-old Eritreans on an arbitrary basis".

The Guardian

What it found was that compensation was offered on an arbitrary basis by the gate agent, and, somehow, the lowest value customers were, on average, receiving the highest compensation.

Harvard Business Review

Pettit, who has done more than anyone else to develop this republican conception of freedom philosophically, puts it thus: a person or group enjoys freedom to the extent that no other person or group has "the capacity to interfere in their affairs on an arbitrary basis" (1999, 165; cf. Pettit 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2012).

SEP

So, on an arbitrary basis, twelve seconds is deeper than five seconds.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The upper house is bursting at the seams with peers picked on such an arbitrary basis that there are no rules even about the party mix.

The Guardian - Opinion

This feeling on my part got me thinking of the last few times similar debates broke out and it seems the most vicious are always those where both sides have taken a position on a fairly arbitrary basis and are not prepare to give up (as represented by myself at this point).

The Economist

Since the studies that were analyzed were selected on a rather arbitrary basis and not in a systematic way, the data in Table 1 should not be regarded as a true reflection of the CFS literature as a whole.

BMC Health Services Research

"The frequency of his payments, which should have been set to annually, was left blank and, as a result, collections have been made on a fairly arbitrary basis," it says.

The Guardian - Money

"It's really hard to value these things right now except on a very arbitrary basis," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "on an arbitrary basis", ensure that the context clearly conveys the lack of a consistent standard or rationale. This prevents misinterpretation and clarifies the nature of the decision or action being described.

Common error

While "arbitrary" often carries a negative connotation of unfairness or capriciousness, it simply means 'based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system'. Avoid automatically framing decisions made "on an arbitrary basis" as inherently bad, unless the context explicitly warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on an arbitrary basis" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies verbs or clauses, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a decision is made. Ludwig AI confirms this through its examples of the phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on an arbitrary basis" is a grammatically sound and relatively common adverbial phrase used to describe actions or decisions lacking a consistent rationale or system. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides diverse examples across news, science, and formal business contexts. While often carrying a negative connotation, "arbitrary" simply means 'based on random choice or personal whim'. When using this phrase, clarity is crucial to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "randomly" or "subjectively" may offer subtle shifts in emphasis. Understanding its function and potential connotations ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

randomly

This single word alternative suggests actions are performed without a specific method or goal.

without justification

Highlights the lack of a valid reason for the action or decision.

capriciously

Emphasizes the impulsive and unpredictable nature of the actions.

without a rationale

Directly points out the absence of logical reasoning behind the decision.

discretionarily

Implies actions based on personal judgment, possibly without defined rules.

subjectively

Highlights that decisions are based on personal feelings or opinions rather than objective facts.

on a whim

Suggests the action was driven by a sudden desire or impulse.

by chance

Focuses on the accidental or coincidental nature of the occurrence.

unpredictably

Emphasizes the lack of pattern or predictability in the actions.

without clear guidelines

Highlights that the actions lack established rules or procedures.

FAQs

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

This phrase indicates decisions or actions taken without a specific rule or system. For example, "The selection of participants was done "on an arbitrary basis" due to the limited number of spots available".

What is a good substitute for "on an arbitrary basis"?

Alternatives include "randomly", "without justification", or "subjectively". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "on an arbitrary basis"?

It's suitable when describing situations where decisions are made without a predetermined method or logical reasoning, often implying a degree of randomness or personal discretion.

What's the difference between "on an arbitrary basis" and "on a consistent basis"?

"On an arbitrary basis" suggests a lack of a fixed method or system, while "on a consistent basis" implies that actions are performed regularly and according to a defined procedure.