totally based on

USAGE SUMMARY

"totally based on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most common in situations where something is completely reliant on something else. For example, "The success of the project was totally based on cooperation between the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The report describes the work involved for a census totally based on registers and how this work has enabled an annual register-based, total set of household statistics in Sweden.

Princeton University

This is totally based on cloud computing.

The New York Times

They decided against it, "totally based on personality," Mr. Machuca said.

The New York Times

If it sounds familiar, that's because Pokémon Go is almost totally based on Ingress.

The Guardian - Tech

"That's what our game is totally based on: turnovers," Rolle said.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is totally based on merit," said Burisma's chairman, Alan Apter.

The Guardian - Business

And so it's hopeful this will come out soon, totally based on understanding the genetic code, understanding gene regulation.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

At its core, it's an iPad magazine that is totally personalized based on all brand mentions from friends and the people you follow.

TechCrunch

Other buildings were totally rebuilt, based on old photos and the use of original stones found in the rubble.

The Washington Post

The positive impressions are totally random, based on something so fleeting, instantly over, a comet that didn't even leave a hole.

The Guardian

Faithfully, but not totally innocently, based on the fairy tale by Madame LePrince de Beaumont, it is almost purely visual, even if a Freudian analysis is possible.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "totally based on", ensure that the context clearly indicates a complete and exclusive reliance on the specified factor. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "totally based on" when the reliance is partial or significant but not absolute. Using weaker terms like "partially based on" or "significantly influenced by" will enhance the accuracy of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally based on" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating the foundation or reason for something. As shown in Ludwig, it specifies what something relies on entirely.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

39%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally based on" is a prepositional phrase signifying complete reliance or derivation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it is crucial to ensure its accuracy, avoiding its use when dependence is only partial. Alternatives like "entirely reliant on" or "solely predicated on" can offer nuanced variations. By understanding its function and usage patterns, writers can effectively communicate the degree of dependence in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely reliant on

Emphasizes dependence, similar to "totally based on", but with a slightly more formal tone.

completely dependent on

Highlights the dependency aspect, interchangeable with "totally based on" in many contexts.

solely predicated on

Implies a foundational aspect with a slightly more formal and academic feel.

exclusively grounded in

Suggests a strong foundation and exclusivity, suitable for formal writing.

wholly contingent on

Emphasizes the conditional nature, indicating that something is entirely subject to another factor.

fully determined by

Focuses on the cause-and-effect relationship, where one thing is a complete result of another.

strictly rooted in

Highlights the origins and deep connection, suitable for historical or analytical contexts.

purely derived from

Indicates that something originates and is extracted entirely from a source.

absolutely reliant upon

A more emphatic version of "reliant on", highlighting the complete dependence.

in its entirety based upon

Adds emphasis to the completeness of the foundation, making it suitable for formal contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "totally based on" to describe situations where something is completely reliant on or derived from something else. For example, "The movie's plot was totally based on a true story."

What can I say instead of "totally based on"?

You can use alternatives like "entirely reliant on", "completely dependent on", or "solely predicated on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "totally based on" or "partially based on"?

The choice between "totally based on" and "partially based on" depends on the degree of dependence. Use "totally based on" when something is completely reliant, and "partially based on" when it's only partly reliant.

What's the difference between "totally based on" and "influenced by"?

"Totally based on" indicates a complete dependence, while "influenced by" suggests a partial effect or inspiration. Something that is "totally based on" something else has no other foundation, whereas something "influenced by" something else may have other contributing factors.