What is basis? Pronunciation and usage in English

basis means . Learn how to pronounce and use basis through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of basis

basisnoun

/ˈbeɪsɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of basis

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "basis" in English. It can be a tricky one for non-native speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈbeɪs/ (PAY-s)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • "Bay": This is pronounced like the word "bay" (as in a harbor). The emphasis is on the "ay" sound.
  • "s": This is a simple, soft "s" sound, like in "sun."

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the sounds:

  • "B": A standard "b" sound.
  • "a": The vowel sound is similar to the "a" in "say" or "father." It’s a short, open "a."
  • "i": The vowel sound is like the "i" in "bit."
  • "s": A soft "s" sound.

Resources to help you hear it:

Important Note: There can be slight variations in pronunciation depending on the dialect (e.g., American vs. British English). However, the /ˈbeɪs/ pronunciation is widely understood and accepted across the English-speaking world.

Do you want me to:

  • Record the pronunciation for you?
  • Give you some examples of how "basis" is used in a sentence so you can hear it in context?

Usage and examples with the word basis in English

Let's break down how to use the word "basis" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Foundation or Basis (Most Common)

  • Meaning: This is the most frequent usage. It refers to something that provides a foundation, support, or groundwork for something else.
  • Examples:
    • "The success of the project is based on a solid plan." (The plan is the basis for success)
    • "Her arguments were based on facts and evidence." (The facts and evidence formed the basis of her arguments)
    • "I’m building my career on a strong educational basis." (Education is the foundation of my career).
    • "The entire argument is based on a flawed premise." (The premise is the underlying basis of the argument.)

2. As a Ground or Principle

  • Meaning: This refers to the fundamental principle or reason for something.
  • Examples:
    • "He acted on a moral basis." (He acted according to his morals - his morals were the basis for his actions)
    • "The decision was made on the basis of economic necessity." (Economic necessity was the reason for the decision.)
    • "She defended her actions on the basis of self-defense." (Self-defense was her justification.)

3. In Mathematics & Science

  • Meaning: In math and science, “basis” refers to a set of linearly independent vectors that can be used to represent any vector in a vector space. This is a more technical concept.
  • Example: "The standard basis for R³ is { (1, 0, 0), (0, 1, 0), (0, 0, 1) }." (This set of vectors forms the basis for representing any 3D vector.)

4. As a Foundation or Basis for a Claim (Legal/Formal)

  • Meaning: This is often used in legal or formal contexts to indicate the grounds or reasons for a claim or argument.
  • Example: "The lawsuit was filed on the basis of negligence." (Negligence formed the basis for the lawsuit.)

5. As a Base (Referring to an Underlying Surface)

  • Meaning: Less common, but it can refer to the bottom surface of something.
  • Example: "He painted the basis of the table." (He painted the bottom of the table.)

Phrases with "Basis":

  • On the basis of: "On the basis of your report, we will make a decision." (Based on)
  • Have a basis in fact: "The accusation has no basis in fact." (It’s not true)
  • A common basis for disagreement: "Lack of communication is a common basis for disagreement.” (A frequent reason for disagreement)

Tips for Using "Basis" Correctly:

  • Consider the context: Pay close attention to the sentence and the surrounding ideas to determine which meaning of "basis" is intended.
  • Synonyms: Sometimes it's helpful to think of synonyms like "foundation," "ground," "reason," "premise," or "support" to ensure you’re using the right word.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where did you encounter the word "basis" recently? (e.g., a book, a conversation, an article?)
  • What were you trying to understand when you came across it? (What was the sentence or context about?)

Synonyms for the word basis

Practice with vocabulary basis

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project’s success was built on a solid __________ of teamwork and planning.
  2. She works on a freelance __________, which allows her to manage her own schedule.
  3. The company’s decision was made on the __________ of extensive market research.
  4. Trust is the __________ of any healthy relationship.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. What is the best word to describe the foundation of an argument?
    a) Basis
    b) Surface
    c) Structure
    d) Example

  2. Which of the following words can replace "foundation" in this sentence: "The report was prepared on the __________ of accurate data."
    a) Basis
    b) Ground
    c) Framework
    d) Reason

  3. Which word does NOT fit in this sentence: "The team operates on a __________ of mutual respect."
    a) Basis
    b) Foundation
    c) Principle
    d) Layer

  4. What is the correct word to complete this sentence: "The company evaluates employees on a regular __________."
    a) Basis
    b) Schedule
    c) Interval
    d) Occasion

  5. Which word best completes this sentence: "The contract was terminated on the __________ of repeated violations."
    a) Basis
    b) Grounds
    c) Cause
    d) Reason

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The agreement was formed on the foundation of mutual trust.
    Rewrite: The agreement was formed on the __________ of mutual trust.

  2. Original: She visits the gym regularly to stay fit.
    Rewrite: She visits the gym on a regular __________ to stay fit.

  3. Original: The decision was made based on the analysis of the data.
    Rewrite: The decision was made on the __________ of the data analysis.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. basis
  2. basis
  3. basis
  4. foundation

Exercise 2:

  1. a) Basis
  2. a) Basis
  3. d) Layer
  4. a) Basis
  5. b) Grounds

Exercise 3:

  1. The agreement was formed on the basis of mutual trust.
  2. She visits the gym on a regular basis to stay fit.
  3. The decision was made on the basis of the data analysis.

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