solely based on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'solely based on' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that is determined by only one factor, as opposed to multiple factors. For example, "The decision was solely based on the cost of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was solely based on merit".

The New York Times

"He operates solely based on the allegiance.

The Guardian

Zawahiri, Maqdisi said, "operates solely based on allegiance.

The Guardian

"Your technological model is solely based on circumventing" the law.

The Guardian - Opinion

Financial aid is awarded solely based on a student's need.

Princeton University

Firstly, ciphers solely based on DNA coding are described.

Information Sciences

However, this choice is solely based on his reaction to the kick.

The Guardian - Sport

But it's not right to justify it solely based on Tyson's previous conviction of rape.

The New York Times - Sports

Checketts said the decision was solely based on the nature of Ewing's wrist injury.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think I made the right decision, and not solely based on the result," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Determination of antigen specificity is done solely based on the DNA barcode.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solely based on", ensure that the single factor you are referencing is explicitly clear to the reader to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "The decision was solely based on data", specify: "The decision was solely based on the sales data from Q3."

Common error

Avoid using "solely based on" if multiple factors influence the outcome, even if one is predominant. It's more accurate to say "primarily based on" or "largely based on" when other factors play a minor role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solely based on" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, noun, or adjective. It indicates the exclusive foundation or reason for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is grammatically sound and widely employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "solely based on" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something depends exclusively on a single factor. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. As evidenced by examples from diverse sources such as the New York Times, Forbes, and Nature, the phrase appears in news, scientific articles, and academic texts. It is typically used to emphasize a unique determining factor while excluding others. However, be precise when stating that an outcome is "solely based on" something, because if other factors are at play, it would be incorrect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusively determined by

Replaces 'based on' with 'determined by' and 'solely' with 'exclusively' for emphasis.

uniquely determined by

Similar to 'exclusively determined by' but uses 'uniquely' to stress the singular influence.

entirely dependent on

Substitutes 'based on' with 'dependent on' and 'solely' with 'entirely', indicating complete reliance.

exclusively relying on

Highlights the aspect of 'relying' on one specific element, swapping 'solely' with 'exclusively'.

singularly influenced by

Focuses on the influence of one factor, replacing 'based on' with 'influenced by' and 'solely' with 'singularly'.

purely predicated on

Uses 'predicated on' as a more formal alternative to 'based on' and 'purely' instead of 'solely'.

absolutely contingent on

Replaces 'based on' with 'contingent on' to show conditionality, and 'solely' with 'absolutely'.

only considering

Simplifies the structure, focusing on the act of 'considering' a single factor.

completely grounded in

Emphasizes the foundation or 'grounding' in a single aspect, replacing 'solely' with 'completely'.

restricted to

Highlights the limitation to one aspect, showing that nothing else is considered.

FAQs

How can I use "solely based on" in a sentence?

Use "solely based on" to indicate that a decision, judgment, or outcome depends exclusively on one specific factor. For example, "Her promotion was "solely based on" her performance, not seniority."

What are some alternatives to "solely based on"?

You can use alternatives such as "exclusively determined by", "entirely dependent on", or "purely predicated on" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "mainly based on" instead of "solely based on"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, they have different meanings. "Solely based on" indicates that only one factor is considered, whereas "mainly based on" suggests that one factor is primary, but others may also contribute. Use "solely based on" when you want to emphasize that the determination is restricted to just one thing.

What's the difference between "solely based on" and "primarily due to"?

"Solely based on" implies that a decision or categorization depends entirely on a specific criterion. "Primarily due to" indicates that something is mainly caused by a particular reason, but other reasons might also be involved. The former focuses on justification or classification, while the latter focuses on causation.