Basis
noun
Definition
1. The most important facts, ideas, or reasons from which something is developed or built upon.
2. The way in which something is organized or arranged.
3. Also the reason or justification behind a decision, action, or belief. Plural: bases /ˈbeɪ.siːz/.
2. The way in which something is organized or arranged.
3. Also the reason or justification behind a decision, action, or belief. Plural: bases /ˈbeɪ.siːz/.
Context Alive
A researcher spent years collecting data that would form the basis for a groundbreaking study on climate change. Without that solid foundation of evidence, none of her conclusions would have been taken seriously. Every great discovery starts with a strong base of reliable information.
Meanings
3 meanings
1
The Foundation or Starting Point (Noun)
Very Common
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This meaning is about the most important facts, ideas, or events that something is built upon or developed from. Imagine a couple who build their entire relationship on a basis of trust and honesty, knowing that without these foundations, nothing else would work. This is basis as the core element that everything else depends on. You might say “mutual respect forms the basis of any good friendship” or “her research provided the basis for a new treatment that could help thousands of patients.” Or picture an architect who uses traditional designs as the basis for a modern building — keeping what works and adding something new. The word suggests something essential and foundational — without it, the whole structure falls apart. ✏️ “Basis” in this sense is almost always followed by “for” or “of” — “the basis for something” (what it leads to) or “the basis of something” (what it’s made of). Both are extremely common and sometimes interchangeable, but “basis for” is slightly more common.
Vivid ExampleThe team used customer feedback as the basis for redesigning their entire product, making changes that directly addressed the most common complaints. Sales doubled within six months of the relaunch. It proved that listening to real users is the strongest foundation for any business decision.
2
The Way Something Is Organized or Arranged (Noun)
Very Common
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This meaning is about how something is structured, scheduled, or carried out — usually in the pattern “on a … basis.” Imagine a freelancer who works on a project basis, meaning she takes individual jobs rather than having a permanent position with one company. This is basis as the arrangement or system something operates under. You might hear “the company reviews salaries on an annual basis” or “she visits her grandmother on a weekly basis to make sure she’s doing well.” Or think about a charity that accepts volunteers on a part-time basis — people help when they can, without a fixed commitment. The word describes the rhythm, frequency, or structure of how something happens. ✏️ This is probably the most useful meaning for everyday English. “On a daily/weekly/monthly/regular basis” is something you’ll hear and use constantly. It simply means “how often” or “in what way” something is done — it replaces phrases like “every day” or “regularly.”
Vivid ExampleThe doctor told him to exercise on a regular basis if he wanted to lower his blood pressure and avoid medication. He started walking every morning before work and cycling at weekends. Within three months, his health had improved so dramatically that even his doctor was surprised.
3
The Reason or Justification (Noun)
Very Common
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This meaning is about the reason or evidence behind a decision, judgment, or belief — most commonly in the phrase “on the basis of.” Imagine an employer who hires a candidate on the basis of their experience and qualifications, rather than their appearance or personal connections. This is basis as the justification — the “why” behind a choice or action. You might hear “the judge made her decision on the basis of the evidence presented in court” or “we can’t reject someone’s application on the basis of their age — that’s discrimination.” Or think about a school that selects students on the basis of an entrance exam rather than where they live. The word carries a sense of logic and fairness — decisions made on a clear basis feel justified and reasonable. ✏️ “On the basis of” is extremely important in professional, legal, and academic English. It means “because of” or “based on” — but it sounds much more formal and precise. You’ll encounter it in job interviews, legal documents, and official communications constantly.
Vivid ExampleThe university offered her a scholarship on the basis of her outstanding exam results and the powerful personal statement she had written about overcoming hardship. She had never imagined that her story would open such doors. That single decision changed the entire course of her life.
Examples from the Street
“Trust is the basis of any good relationship — without it, nothing else really matters.”
Trust is the essential foundation that everything in a relationship depends on
“I go to the gym on a regular basis — usually three or four times a week when I can manage it.”
I exercise regularly, following a consistent routine
“They hired him on the basis of his interview alone — they didn’t even check his references.”
They gave him the job based solely on how he performed in the interview
Common Patterns
the basis for something → the foundation from which something is developed
the basis of something → the core element that something is built upon
form/provide the basis → to serve as the foundation for something
a solid/strong basis → a reliable, well-established foundation
have no basis in fact/reality → to be untrue or unsupported by evidence
on a daily/weekly/monthly basis → happening every day, week, or month
on a regular/ongoing basis → happening consistently over time
on a day-to-day basis → as part of everyday, routine life
on a voluntary/part-time basis → arranged as volunteer work or partial hours
on a first-come, first-served basis → available to whoever arrives or applies first
on a case-by-case basis → each situation handled individually
on the basis of → because of; using something as the reason
on what basis → asking for the reason or justification behind something
Collocations
5 collocationson a daily basis
every day; as a regular routine
on the basis of
using something as the reason or foundation
regular basis
happening frequently and consistently
solid basis
a strong and reliable foundation
first-come first-served basis
whoever arrives first gets priority
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
Mutual respect and open communication form the basis of their successful twenty-year marriage
Karşılıklı saygı ve açık iletişim, yirmi yıllık başarılı evliliklerinin temelini oluşturuyor.
2
She exercises on a daily basis to keep both her body and mind in good shape
Hem bedenini hem zihnini formda tutmak için her gün düzenli olarak egzersiz yapıyor.
3
The company rejected his application on the basis of insufficient experience in the field
Şirket, alandaki yetersiz deneyimini gerekçe göstererek başvurusunu reddetti.
4
This report will provide the basis for all future decisions about the project’s direction
Bu rapor, projenin geleceğine dair tüm kararların temelini oluşturacak.
5
Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early if you want good seats
Biletler gelene verilir usulüyle satılıyor, bu yüzden iyi koltuk istiyorsan erken gel.
6
Their accusations have absolutely no basis in fact — it’s all rumour and speculation
Suçlamalarının hiçbir gerçek dayanağı yok — tamamen dedikodu ve varsayımdan ibaret.
7
The freelancer works on a project basis, taking on new clients whenever her schedule allows
Serbest çalışan, proje bazında çalışıyor ve programı uygun olduğunda yeni müşteriler alıyor.
8
On what basis did they decide to close the school — was there any proper consultation with parents?
Okulu kapatma kararını neye dayanarak aldılar — velilerle düzgün bir istişare yapıldı mı?
9
The friendship they built during university formed the basis for a lifelong business partnership
Üniversitede kurdukları dostluk, ömür boyu sürecek bir iş ortaklığının zeminini hazırladı.
10
On a day-to-day basis, the manager deals with everything from customer complaints to staff scheduling
Müdür günlük bazda müşteri şikayetlerinden personel planlamasına kadar her şeyle ilgileniyor.
Learner Examples
★
Practising vocabulary on a daily basis is far more effective than trying to memorise everything the night before an exam
Kelimeleri her gün düzenli olarak tekrar etmek, sınav öncesi gece her şeyi ezberlemeye çalışmaktan çok daha etkilidir.
★
The teacher evaluates each student’s progress on the basis of their class participation, homework, and test scores combined
Öğretmen her öğrencinin ilerlemesini derse katılım, ödev ve sınav notlarının birleşimine dayanarak değerlendiriyor.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
2 items Idioms & Expressionson a daily basis — every day, regularly
She exercises on a daily basis to stay healthy.
on the basis of — according to, based on
They made the decision on the basis of the latest data.
Synonyms & Antonyms
4 items
Synonymsfoundation
what something rests on
grounds
the reason for something
base
the starting point
framework
the underlying structure