to be based

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be based" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe where something or someone is located or originates from. Example 1: The company's headquarters were recently moved from New York to London. Example 2: The new restaurant is based in a historic building downtown. Example 3: The decision was made to base the production of the product in China.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It has to be based on belief.

Independent

Where is it going to be based?

The New York Times

Politics has to be based on policy.

The New York Times - Books

Conservation has to be based on science".

The New York Times - Science

Which answers seem to be based on opinion and which seem to be based on facts?

The New York Times

It's got to be based on something".

The New York Times

The nurses want pay to be based on seniority.

The New York Times

Mr. Gosling continues to be based in Tokyo.

The New York Times

DANIEL OKRENT All opinions purport to be based on facts.

The New York Times

I think it ought to be based on merit".

The New York Times

"But they have to be based on science.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be based" to clearly indicate the location, origin, or foundation of something to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "to be based". The most common correct prepositions are "in" (for location) and "on" (for foundation). For example, say "The study is based on facts", not "The study is based with facts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be based" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating location, origin, or foundation. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be based" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate location, origin, or foundation. As indicated by Ludwig, its versatility allows it to be used across various contexts, from News & Media to Science and Formal & Business communication. Common usage includes specifying where a company is located ("to be based in"), or what an idea or concept relies on ("to be based on"). While it's a versatile phrase, ensuring correct preposition usage (typically "in" for location and "on" for foundation) is crucial. Alternatives such as "to be located in" or "to originate from" can provide nuanced meanings depending on the context. With its widespread use and clear communicative purpose, "to be based" remains a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be located in

Specifically refers to the physical location of something.

to be headquartered in

Specifically refers to the main office or center of operations.

to be situated at

Emphasizes the specific place or position of something.

to originate from

Focuses on the place of origin rather than the current location or foundation.

to derive from

Indicates the source from which something is obtained or developed.

to arise from

Indicates how something emerges or comes into existence.

to stem from

Emphasizes the cause or reason something exists, similar to being founded on.

to be rooted in

Stresses the deep-seated origins or causes of something.

to have its foundation in

Highlights the underlying principles or ideas something is built upon.

to rest on

Suggests that something relies on a particular basis or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "to be based" in a sentence?

Use "to be based" to describe where something is located or originates from. For example, "The company is "located in" New York" or "The film is "founded on" a true story".

What are some alternatives to saying "to be based"?

You can use phrases like "to be located in", "to originate from", or "to stem from" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Which is correct: "The decision is based on facts" or "The decision is based off facts"?

"The decision is based on facts" is the correct and more formal option. "Based off" is sometimes used informally, but "to be based on" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "to be based in" and "to be based on"?

"To be based in" refers to a physical location, such as "The company is based in London". "To be based on" means something is founded or derived from something else, such as "The movie is based on a novel".