unknown basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unknown basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is not established or understood, often in discussions of theories, arguments, or foundations of knowledge. Example: "The researchers were working with an unknown basis for their conclusions, which raised questions about the validity of their findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Unless there is some presently unknown basis for the library's action, we think it is such that future donors of judicial papers will be inclined to look elsewhere for a repository".

The New Yorker

"You don't get 40,000 people together on an underground, unknown basis," said Dr. Philip Fagan Jr., emergency department director at Good Samaritan Hospital near downtown L.A. Raves shouldn't happen, he said, "because of the threat to the personal health of individuals who are there".

Los Angeles Times

The significant link between H. pylori-negative patient tissue and chromosome 8 loss has an unknown basis that might be worth pursuing.

British Journal of Cancer

Completeness was checked using a variety of methods wherever possible including comparison with historic data, proportion of cases microscopically diagnosed, proportion of unknown basis of diagnosis, mortality : incidence (M : I) ratio and death certificate method.

British Journal of Cancer

Specific measures of MV%, DCO%, M/I, and UB% (the proportion of diagnosis of unknown basis) of 2010 NPC data were as follows: for all registries, 74.55%, 1.72%, 0.48, and 1.43%, respectively; for urban registries, 77.29%, 1.85%, 0.49, and 1.62%, respectively; and for rural registries, 69.70%, 1.49%, 0.46, and 1.09%, respectively.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

The criteria for data quality were as follows: the percentage of cases morphologically verified (MV%) was higher than 66%, the percentage of death certificate-only cases (DCO%) was lower than 15%, the mortality to incidence ratio (M/I) was between 0.6 and 0.8, and the percentage of the diagnosis of unknown basis (UB%) was lower than 5%.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A sparse signal is defined as a signal that can be represented in some (possibly unknown) mathematical basis with far fewer vector components than in its natural basis (e.g., space, time, frequency).

Cancer Imaging

The known genetic mechanisms underlying lower azole sensitivity include mutations affecting the CYP51 gene that encodes the target protein, but in many cases azole resistance is a more complex trait with an unknown genetic basis.

Fungal Genetics and Biology

Combining gene expression data, functional annotation and known phenotype-gene associations we provide candidate genes for several genetic diseases of unknown molecular basis.

Plosone

Our results suggest a previously unknown mechanistic basis linking transcriptional dysregulation to cell death in neurodegeneration through TBP mediated alteration of Vdac1 expression.

Plosone

Genes in such RCGs, which were also located inside one of the genomic loci associated to the phenotype of unknown molecular basis were considered as candidate genes for the phenotype.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unknown basis", ensure the context clearly indicates what lacks a known foundation. Provide sufficient information to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "unknown basis" excessively in speculative writing without providing any supporting evidence or potential avenues for investigation. Ground your statements with available information to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unknown basis" typically functions as a noun phrase modifier. It describes a situation, reason, or cause that lacks a clearly defined or understood foundation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unknown basis" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a lack of understanding regarding the foundation or rationale behind something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, but also appears in news and media. While versatile, ensure the context is clear and avoid overuse in speculative scenarios. Consider alternatives like "unexplained foundation" or "unidentified rationale" to add nuance where appropriate. The phrase serves to highlight a gap in knowledge and prompt further investigation or clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexplained foundation

Replaces "basis" with a synonym "foundation" and "unknown" with "unexplained" emphasizing the lack of clarification.

unidentified rationale

Substitutes "basis" with "rationale", focusing on the reasoning behind something that remains unidentified.

unsubstantiated premise

Replaces "basis" with "premise", highlighting the lack of evidence or support for the foundation.

unconfirmed justification

Emphasizes the lack of confirmation or validation for the underlying justification.

unrecognized footing

Uses "footing" as a synonym for "basis", suggesting a foundation that is not acknowledged or recognized.

obscure reasoning

Focuses on the lack of clarity and transparency in the reasoning behind something.

unclear grounds

Indicates that the reasons or justifications are not well-defined or easy to understand.

undetermined cause

Shifts the focus to the cause or reason, which has not yet been determined or established.

unspecified reason

Highlights the absence of specific details or explanation regarding the reason.

groundless assumption

Implies that the assumption lacks a solid or reasonable basis.

FAQs

How can I use "unknown basis" in a sentence?

You can use "unknown basis" to describe situations where the underlying reasons or mechanisms are not understood. For example: "The researcher's findings were based on an "unknown basis", requiring further investigation."

What's a good alternative to "unknown basis"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "unexplained foundation", "unidentified rationale", or "unsubstantiated premise".

Is it appropriate to use "unknown basis" in formal writing?

Yes, "unknown basis" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in scientific or academic contexts where acknowledging a lack of understanding is necessary. Ensure clarity and precision in your usage.

What does it mean when something is said to have an "unknown basis"?

When something has an "unknown basis", it means that the reasons, causes, or mechanisms underlying it are not understood or have not been identified. This often prompts further research or investigation to uncover the missing information.