was based at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was based at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the location or organization where someone worked or was stationed during a specific period. Example: "During his career, he was based at several prestigious institutions around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sergeant Bales was based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The New York Times

He was based at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The New York Times

GB Animation was based at Moor Hall, Cookham, Berkshire.

The Guardian - Film

Akron, which was based at Lakehurst, took 73 lives.

The New York Times

Production was based at Elstree studios in London.

The Guardian - Film

I was based at Kandahar airport which was attacked frequently.

Independent

From 1947 until his appointment at Berkeley he was based at the University of Chicago.

The New York Times

The Piper was based at the Essex County Airport, said the airport manager, Tom Gomez.

The New York Times

His father, a retired captain for Continental Airlines, was based at Newark International Airport.

The New York Times - Style

The program was based at Clark College, nearby, and included print journalism, radio, television, and film.

The New Yorker

In the 1930's he was based at its Aeronautical Laboratory in Langley, Va.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was based at" when specifying the location or organization where someone or something operated, resided, or originated. It clearly indicates a central point of activity or origin.

Common error

Avoid using "in" or "on" instead of "at" when referring to a specific location. "Was based in" implies a broader geographical area, while "was based on" suggests a foundation or principle, not a location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was based at" functions as a verb phrase indicating location or origin. It specifies the place where someone or something operated, resided, or was initially established. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

38%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was based at" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate the location or origin of a person, organization, or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are specifying a particular location or institution, and avoid confusion with similar prepositions like "in" or "on". Alternatives such as "was located at" or "operated from" can be used for semantic variation. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for various professional and general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was located at

Focuses on the physical location.

was situated in

Emphasizes the setting or environment.

was stationed at

Commonly used for military or personnel contexts.

operated from

Highlights the operational base or headquarters.

had its headquarters in

Specifically indicates the main administrative center.

originated from

Emphasizes the place of origin or initial establishment.

stemmed from

Indicates the source or root of something.

derived from

Highlights the source from which something is obtained.

was founded in

Refers to the place where an organization was established.

was established at

Similar to "was founded in", but can also refer to non-organizational bases.

FAQs

How do I use "was based at" in a sentence?

"Was based at" indicates where someone or something operated from or was stationed. For example, "The research team was based at the university" or "He was based at the military base during the war".

What can I say instead of "was based at"?

You can use alternatives like "was located at", "operated from", or "was stationed at" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was based in" instead of "was based at"?

While "was based in" can be correct, it usually refers to a larger region or area, whereas "was based at" refers to a specific location or institution. For example, "The company was based in London" versus "The company was based at Canary Wharf".

What's the difference between "was based at" and "was founded at"?

"Was based at" indicates the operational location, while "was founded at" specifies the place of origin or establishment. The operational base may change, but the founding location remains the same.