primary basis for

USAGE SUMMARY

"primary basis for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means the main reason or foundation for something. Example: The primary basis for the company's success is their strong focus on customer satisfaction.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was also a primary basis for some of The Guardian's articles about the matter.

The New York Times

The decisions "suggest that science is not the primary basis for your decisions," he wrote, asking for an explanation.

The New York Times

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, religious differences were the primary basis for anti-Semitism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The assertion that Iraq provided refuge to Mr. Zarqawi was the primary basis for the administration's prewar assertions connecting Iraq to Al Qaeda.

The New York Times

Ms. Rice said the administration did not learn until March that the documents that were the primary basis for the assertion about Niger had been forged.

The New York Times

Her work is a primary basis for considering it a disease, rather than poor choices or immoral behavior".

The New York Times - Science

Lugosi had already played the part onstage for three years, and that version was the primary basis for the film.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fortunately, rapid internal conversion is an inherent property of the heterocyclic bases that make up DNA and is the primary basis for protection of DNA against damage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its contents are the primary basis for the formulation of Islamic law and the designation of conduct by Muslims, both as individuals and as a community.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Research clearly shows test scores should never be the sole or primary basis for evaluating teachers," said Steve Wollmer, a spokesman for the union.

The New York Times

Mr. Libi's earlier claims had been the primary basis for assertions by President Bush and his top advisers that Iraq had provided training in "poisons and gases" to Qaeda members.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary basis for", ensure it accurately reflects the most significant reason or foundation, and not just one of many contributing factors.

Common error

Avoid using "primary basis for" when the identified reason is only a contributing factor among several equally important elements. Instead, use phrases like "a contributing factor" or "one of the reasons for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary basis for" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the main reason, foundation, or justification for something. It commonly acts as a subject complement or as part of a prepositional phrase, elaborating on the underlying cause or support for a particular action, belief, or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primary basis for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that pinpoints the main reason or foundation for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is valid in written English. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts, this phrase serves to clarify and emphasize the core justification behind various phenomena. While alternatives like "main reason for" and "chief foundation of" exist, "primary basis for" maintains a formal tone suitable for precise explanations. When employing this phrase, ensure it truly reflects the main underlying cause, distinguishing it from contributing factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main reason for

Replaces "basis" with "reason", focusing on the cause.

chief foundation of

Substitutes "primary" with "chief" and "basis" with "foundation", emphasizing the fundamental nature.

principal reason behind

Uses "principal" instead of "primary" and rephrases "basis for" as "reason behind."

core justification for

Replaces "primary" with "core" and "basis" with "justification", highlighting the rationale.

fundamental groundwork for

Emphasizes the underlying support by using "fundamental groundwork."

central rationale for

Substitutes "basis" with "rationale", indicating a reasoned explanation.

key element of

Focuses on the essential component rather than the foundation.

underlying cause of

Highlights the causal aspect by using "underlying cause."

essential component for

Emphasizes a necessary part, rather than a complete foundation.

driving force behind

Indicates the impetus or motivating factor.

FAQs

How can I use "primary basis for" in a sentence?

You can use "primary basis for" to indicate the main reason or foundation behind something. For example, "The "primary basis for" their decision was the lack of funding."

What are some alternatives to "primary basis for"?

Alternatives include "main reason for", "chief foundation of", or "principal reason behind", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "primary basis for" the same as "sole basis for"?

No, "primary basis for" indicates the main reason, but it doesn't exclude other contributing factors. "Sole basis for" means it is the only reason.

What's the difference between "primary basis for" and "key factor in"?

"Primary basis for" suggests a foundational element or reason, while "key factor in" implies one of several significant influences. The first one is the foundation, the latter is only a factor.