on what base

USAGE SUMMARY

"on what base" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone the grounds or reasons for something they have done, said, or decided. For example: "On what base did you make that decision?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Given the complexity, it is often hard to say who is on what base.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Based on what?" "Based on who can best represent you".

The New York Times

If capability scholars want to develop a full theory of justice, they will also need to explain on what bases they will justify their principles or claims.

SEP

They also need to make visible who does make decisions about who to treat, and who not to treat and on what bases such decisions are being made.

Disability and Rehabilitation

Ziegler, smirking already, asks: "Based on what?" Security: "Based on this being invitation only".

Huffington Post

Ethics, including bioethics, is not what we choose but on what we base choices.

The Economist

The true question rather is on what is based the credibility of a warning signal.

European Journal of Futures Research

She searched my face to see on what I based my sense of the world.

Huffington Post

"We're constantly adjusting the design based on what we've learned, based on what we like," Kooley says.

Environmental Health Perspectives

On what do I base this conclusion?

Independent

On what does he base his opinion?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on what base", ensure the context clearly indicates you are seeking the fundamental reason or justification for a claim or action. For broader contexts, consider "on what basis" or "on what grounds".

Common error

Avoid using "on what base" when seeking general information or details; it's specifically for requesting the core justification or foundation. If you need general information about something, you could rephrase to: "what is the meaning of this?" or "what is this about?"

Linguistic Context

"On what base" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase. It is used to question the underlying reason or justification for a statement, action, or belief. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on what base" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to inquire about the fundamental justification or reason for something. While considered correct, according to Ludwig, it is less commonly used than alternatives such as "on what basis" or "on what grounds". Its function is to seek clarification, serving an inquisitive purpose, and maintains a neutral to formal register. Use it when you want to know the core principles of something, or stick to more common alternatives for smoother communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on what basis

Replaces "base" with "basis", a more common and generally interchangeable term for the underlying reason or justification.

on what grounds

Substitutes "base" with "grounds", indicating the justification or reasons for an action or belief.

what is the foundation

Rephrases the question to focus on the "foundation", emphasizing the supporting structure or reasoning.

what is the justification

Replaces the phrase with a direct inquiry about the "justification", highlighting the reasons why something is considered right or reasonable.

what are the reasons

Asks directly for the "reasons" behind something, simplifying the phrasing.

what is the rationale

Uses "rationale" in place of "base", focusing on the underlying logic or principles.

where does that come from

This alternative implies that the speaker is not familiar with the source of something.

how did you arrive at that

This alternative asks about the path that led someone to a conclusion.

what's your reasoning

Focuses directly on the "reasoning" process, asking for an explanation of the thought process.

where did you get that idea

This alternative asks about the origin or source of an idea.

FAQs

What's the difference between "on what base" and "on what basis"?

While similar, "on what basis" is more common and widely accepted in contemporary English. "On what base" is less frequently used but still grammatically correct, focusing on the foundational element.

When is it appropriate to use "on what base"?

Use "on what base" when specifically questioning the fundamental justification or core reason behind a claim, decision, or action. It is best suited for scenarios where you need the core principles explained.

Are there more common alternatives to "on what base"?

Yes, alternatives such as "on what grounds", "what is the foundation", or simply "why?" are more frequently used and may sound more natural in everyday conversation.

How can I use "on what base" in a sentence?

You can use "on what base" as a prepositional phrase to question an argument. For example, "On what base do you claim that this strategy will be effective?"