Basis vs bases

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Grammarist

Basis and bases are commonly confused words that are pronounced in the same way but are spelled differently and have different meanings, which makes them homophones. We will examine the different meanings of the homophonic words basis and bases, the word origins of the terms, and some examples of their English usage in sentences.

A basis is a foundation of an argument or procedure, an elemental principal, a system upon which something is founded, or the logic or justification for an idea. The word basis is derived from the Greek word, basis, which means a base to stand on.

Bases may mean: 1.) the plural of the noun basis; 2.) the plural of the noun base; or 3.) the third-person singular tense of the verb base. Related words are based and basing. The verb base is a transitive verb, which is a verb that takes an object; it means to have a foundation for something physical or for an idea or a process.

Examples

“The defence submission is desperate and one that has no legal basis.” (Malay Mail)

During the last three years in the federal Higher Education Commission (HEC), where the most important post of executive director (ED) has not been permanently filled, the regional offices in the provinces have also been run on an ad hoc basis, it has been learnt. (News International)

The data, as he said, “is all over the place,” including in a Cloud One program and at various data centers at bases. (Federal News Network)

The Reserve Bank covered all the bases today with a Monetary Policy Review that acknowledged some positive signs of economic recovery while reminding that the risk of further shocks remains very real. (New Zealand Herald)