rate base

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rate base" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of finance or utility regulation to refer to the value of assets used to determine the rates charged to customers. Example: "The utility company must justify its proposed rate base to ensure that customers are not overcharged for services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The rate base is the number of subscriber and newsstand copies a magazine guarantees.

The New York Times

Hearst executives established the rate base at 500,000 for the first issue.

The New York Times

The magazine has a rate base guaranteed to advertisers of 700,000.

The New York Times

The rate base, or level of circulation promised to advertisers, is 500,000, the report said.

The New York Times

In many ways, the rate base policy reflects the cautious nature of Hearst Magazines.

The New York Times

The May and June issues also both missed the rate base.

The New York Times

Now, a year later, Lucky is a business, with a rate base -- the circulation guaranteed to advertisers -- of 750,000.

The New York Times

It will also increase its rate base, the circulation guaranteed to advertisers, to 900,000 from 500,000.

The New York Times

Another magazine increasing both ad rates and the rate base for 2002 is The New Yorker, another Condé Nast publication.

The New York Times

Its ad rates are going up 10.5percentt as the rate base goes up 6.3percentto to 850,000.

The New York Times

According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, the magazine's rate base, the circulation guaranteed to advertisers, is about 97,500.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a general audience, briefly define "rate base" as the circulation guaranteed to advertisers to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "rate base" interchangeably with overall circulation figures. "Rate base" refers specifically to the guaranteed number promised to advertisers, while overall circulation may fluctuate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rate base" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in sentences relating to magazine advertising and circulation. Ludwig confirms this usage across a broad spectrum of news and business sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "rate base" is a common and correct noun phrase primarily used in the context of magazine advertising. It refers to the guaranteed circulation figure promised to advertisers. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term appears frequently in news and business publications like The New York Times and Forbes. When using the term, be sure to differentiate it from overall circulation numbers and consider semantically similar phrases like "guaranteed circulation" or "assured readership" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Guaranteed circulation

Highlights the guaranteed aspect of circulation to advertisers.

Audited circulation

Stresses that the circulation numbers have been verified by an external auditor.

Confirmed readership

Indicates that readership numbers are confirmed and reliable.

Circulation base

Focuses specifically on the circulation figures as a foundation.

Established circulation

Highlights the long-standing nature of the circulation numbers.

Subscriber base

Emphasizes the number of subscribers as the foundational element.

Readership

A more general term for the total number of readers.

Advertiser base

Shifts the focus to the base of advertisers, rather than circulation.

Target audience

Refers to the specific group of people a publication aims to reach.

Customer base

Broadens the concept to include all customers, not just subscribers or advertisers.

FAQs

What does "rate base" mean in the context of magazines?

In the magazine industry, "rate base" refers to the guaranteed circulation figure that a publication promises to its advertisers. It's the minimum number of copies the magazine assures will be distributed.

How is the "rate base" used in advertising?

Advertisers use the "rate base" to determine the cost-effectiveness of placing ads in a particular publication. A higher rate base generally means a higher cost, but also a greater reach.

What happens if a magazine doesn't meet its "rate base"?

If a magazine fails to meet its promised "rate base", it may have to offer advertisers compensation, such as discounted rates on future ads or bonus placements.

What are some alternatives to "rate base"?

While "rate base" is the standard term, you could use phrases like "guaranteed circulation" or "assured readership" to convey a similar meaning.