underlying basis for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying basis for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the fundamental reason or principle that supports a particular idea, argument, or situation. Example: "The underlying basis for the new policy is to improve employee satisfaction and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

To figure out the underlying basis for the varying stability, we investigated the overall changes in the neighbourhood of the methylated residues in detail.

Plosone

This study contributes an additional 10 years of influenza A(H3N2) HA and NA sequences, from Hong Kong, to the publicly available sequence database (GenBank), which should aid other researchers investigating an underlying basis for influenza A(H3N2) seasonality.

Plosone

Our investigation set out to explore the underlying basis for these changes.

Cell Death and Disease

Larger studies will be required to better characterize the relationship at the higher end and to explore the underlying basis for its apparent attenuation.

Diabetes Care

Compassion and respect towards nature, which is revered as a living entity, is the underlying basis for many eastern philosophies".

The Guardian - Books

She also challenged the underlying basis for the entire system of exceptions asserted by Dow and Helliker.

The Guardian

These set the standards and allocate the water, and so they frame the underlying basis for mobilising stewardship of the resource.

The Guardian

Although economic concerns have been the underlying basis for Thailand's foreign policy since the 1980s, security concerns have not disappeared.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We made improvements that we believe will help ensure confidence that the underlying basis for foreclosure, and the associated paperwork, is appropriate.

The New York Times

The Court said that a campaign contribution served only as "a general expression of support for the candidate and his views, but does not communicate the underlying basis for the support".

The New Yorker

The underlying basis for our distinction between the philosophical and religious poles was epistemic.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underlying basis for", ensure you clearly articulate what that basis is and how it supports the idea or argument you're presenting.

Common error

Avoid using "underlying basis for" when a simpler term like "reason" or "cause" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can obscure your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying basis for" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically introduces the reason, cause, or foundation behind a particular phenomenon, idea, or action. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

16%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "underlying basis for" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote the fundamental reason or principle behind something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a common phrase, particularly in scientific and formal contexts, serving to explain and clarify concepts by highlighting their core foundations. While versatile, it's essential to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in situations where simpler terms like "reason" or "cause" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental reason for

Focuses on the causal aspect, highlighting the primary cause.

underlying cause of

Focuses on the hidden or less obvious reason for something.

root cause of

Emphasizes the origin or source of a problem or situation.

primary driver of

Highlights the main force or factor that propels a particular outcome.

reason behind

A more general alternative, simply asking "why" in other words.

rationale for

Emphasizes the logical justification or reasoning.

core principle of

Highlights a guiding rule or belief.

foundation for

Suggests a supportive structure or framework.

essential ingredient of

Highlights a necessary component for a specific result.

groundwork for

Implies preparatory work that enables future developments.

FAQs

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

You can use "underlying basis for" to explain the fundamental reason or principle supporting a concept or phenomenon. For instance, "The "underlying basis for" the new policy is to improve employee satisfaction".

What are some alternatives to "underlying basis for"?

Consider using phrases like "fundamental reason for", "root cause of", or "rationale for" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "underlying basis for" or "reason behind"?

While both are correct, "underlying basis for" suggests a more foundational or fundamental reason, whereas "reason behind" is more general. Choose the phrase that best reflects the depth of explanation you intend to convey.

What's the difference between "underlying basis for" and "foundation for"?

"Underlying basis for" emphasizes the reason or principle that supports something, while "foundation for" suggests a structural element upon which something is built. The nuance lies in whether you're emphasizing the 'why' or the 'how'.