sole basis for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole basis for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is the only reason or foundation for a particular conclusion or action. Example: "The sole basis for the decision was the data collected during the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As teacher unions have weakened, seniority is no longer the sole basis for layoffs in many districts.

The New York Times

But the sole basis for suspicion, they said, should not be a passenger's skin color, ethnicity, religion or foreign-sounding name.

The New York Times

But if the lesson is learned that averages should not be the sole basis for making policy decisions, it will have been a step in the right direction.

The Economist

Then the court weakened the recusal standard, adopting a new rule that campaign donations or expenditures can never be the sole basis for a judge's disqualification.

The New York Times

Then they made the more convincing point that, as with any science, there are misdiagnoses and false positives, which is why these instruments should never be used as the sole basis for hiring or promotion.

The New York Times

In the longer term, she warns, such qualifications are "not ideally suited to forming the sole basis for accountability measurement" and could lead to "more limited" teaching as schools cram students to pass.

The Guardian

Still, the pressure on Mr. Blair is particularly intense since he had emphasized the threat of a potential terror strike using Iraq's unconventional weapons as the sole basis for going to war.

The New York Times

If the semi-final results of the Asian Cup constituted your sole basis for making forecasts, you might be tempted to issue warnings before tomorrow's final of a storm of Australian gloating.

The Guardian - Sport

It said that defendants did not have the right to legal representation, that confessions had been used as the sole basis for convictions, and that foreign nationals were reportedly not always given sufficient translation facilities.

The Guardian

The company's sole basis for its appeal is the finding by an appeals court here that Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson violated a Federal ethics law by discussing the case with reporters.

The New York Times

A year ago, by another 4-to-3 vote along ideological lines, the court weakened the recusal standard by adopting a rule saying that campaign fund-raising or expenditures can never be the sole basis for a judge's disqualification.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sole basis for", ensure it's genuinely the only reason. If there are contributing factors, consider alternative phrasing like "primary reason" or "major factor".

Common error

Avoid using "sole basis for" when there are other contributing factors. Overstating the singularity can weaken your argument if counter-evidence exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole basis for" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun or noun phrase. Ludwig's examples show it commonly introduces the reason or justification behind a decision, action, or belief. It signifies that the element it modifies is the only determining factor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sole basis for" is a frequently used phrase that denotes the only reason or justification behind something. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and finds application across various contexts, including news, scientific literature, and formal business communications. While it effectively emphasizes exclusivity, be cautious not to overstate the singularity if other contributing factors exist. Remember there are options that include phrases like "exclusive foundation for" and "only reason for" to express similar nuances. By understanding its appropriate use and potential pitfalls, you can confidently and effectively incorporate "sole basis for" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only reason for

Focuses on the reason aspect rather than the foundational aspect.

exclusive foundation for

Highlights the foundational aspect with an emphasis on exclusivity.

single justification for

Emphasizes the act of justifying a decision or action.

main ground for

Uses "ground" to indicate the foundation or reason.

unique rationale for

Highlights the uniqueness of the reasoning behind something.

primary reason for

Shifts the focus to the reason being the most important, though not necessarily the only one.

fundamental cause of

Implies a cause-and-effect relationship.

key determinant of

Focuses on the determining factor.

underlying principle of

Shifts the emphasis to a guiding principle or belief.

essential component of

Highlights that something is an important part of a larger idea.

FAQs

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

Use "sole basis for" to indicate that something is the only reason or foundation for a particular decision, belief, or action. For example, "The data was the "sole basis for" their conclusion".

What phrases are similar to "sole basis for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "only reason for", "exclusive foundation for", or "single justification for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the only basis for" instead of "sole basis for"?

Both "the only basis for" and ""sole basis for"" are grammatically correct and convey essentially the same meaning. "Sole" emphasizes the exclusivity more directly.

What is the difference between "sole basis for" and "primary reason for"?

"Sole basis for" means something is the only reason. "Primary reason for" implies it's the most important reason, but other reasons might also exist.