On This Basis Meaning | Clear Usage Rules

“On this basis” is a formal phrase that points back to a reason already stated. It tells the reader, “This is the ground I am using to make the next point.” You’ll see it in emails, essays, reports, contracts, meeting notes, and academic writing.

The phrase works best after you have already named a fact, rule, score, result, claim, or condition. Without that earlier idea, it feels vague. Used well, it links one sentence to the next and keeps the logic clean.

On This Basis Meaning In Plain English

The phrase means “because of this,” “using this as the reason,” or “from this standard.” It is not casual chat wording. It has a measured tone, so it fits writing where the reader expects careful reasoning.

Here is the pattern:

• State the reason, fact, or rule.
• Use “on this basis” to connect that reason to a choice, claim, or next step.
• Make sure “this” has a clear noun or idea to point back to.

Try this sentence: “The applicant meets every listed requirement. On this basis, we recommend moving her to the interview stage.” The phrase points back to the applicant meeting the requirements. The decision then feels grounded, not random.

A common mistake is treating the phrase as decoration. It is not there to make writing sound formal. It is there to show the bridge between a reason and a result. If the bridge is weak, the phrase exposes it.

When The Phrase Sounds Natural

Use “on this basis” when your sentence needs a clean link between evidence and action. It sounds natural in business, study, law, finance, science, and formal email. It sounds stiff in casual speech unless the topic itself is serious.

A good test is to ask, “Can the reader tell what ‘this’ refers to?” If yes, the phrase can work. If no, name the reason instead.

Strong Places To Use It

The phrase fits these writing tasks:

• Explaining why a choice was made.
• Connecting a rule to a result.
• Linking data to a recommendation.
• Showing that a claim rests on stated facts.
• Writing a polite rejection or approval.

Why This And Basis Work Together

“This” points to something nearby. “Basis” means the ground, reason, method, or standard used for a decision. The Cambridge Dictionary definition of basis ties the word to facts or ideas from which something is developed, which matches how the phrase works in real sentences.

Merriam-Webster gives “on the basis of” as meaning “according to” or “based on.” That makes Merriam-Webster’s entry for “on the basis of” a close cousin of “on this basis.” The difference is small: “on this basis” points back to a nearby reason, while “on the basis of” often names the reason right after the phrase.

The Longman entry for “on the basis of something” connects the phrase family with a particular fact or situation. That is the same job “on this basis” performs when it refers back to the previous sentence.

How To Use It Without Sounding Stiff

The phrase can sound polished, but it can also feel heavy if every paragraph leans on it. Use it once when the logic matters. Then switch to shorter wording such as “so,” “because of that,” or “based on that” when the tone can be lighter.

In workplace writing, “on this basis” often appears before a recommendation. In academic writing, it often appears before a claim. In legal or policy writing, it often appears before an action, limit, or decision.

Context	What “This Basis” Points To	Natural Line
Work approval	A completed requirement list	The file meets all review checks. On this basis, approval can proceed.
School essay	A stated reading of the text	The speaker changes tone in the final stanza. On this basis, the ending feels less certain.
Hiring note	Skills matched to the role	The candidate has handled the same duties before. On this basis, a second interview is fair.
Budget choice	A cost comparison	The smaller plan saves $4,000 over six months. On this basis, it is the safer pick.
Policy memo	A rule already named	The request falls outside the stated deadline. On this basis, it cannot be accepted.
Research note	A measured result	The second test produced the same reading. On this basis, the team kept the result.
Customer reply	Proof from an order record	The package was signed for on Monday. On this basis, the claim was marked closed.
Legal-style writing	A contract clause	The clause limits refunds after delivery. On this basis, no refund is due.

On This Basis Vs Based On This

“On this basis” and “based on this” often point to the same idea. The tone is the main difference. “On this basis” sounds more formal and tends to sit at the start of a sentence. “Based on this” is more flexible and works in many everyday lines.

Use “on this basis” when you want the sentence to sound careful and official. Use “based on this” when you want a cleaner, lighter line. Both need a clear “this.” A reader should not have to guess what reason you mean.

On The Basis Of Vs On This Basis

“On the basis of” usually names the reason after “of.” “On this basis” points back to a reason already given.

• “On the basis of the test score, the student moved to the next class.”
• “The student passed the test. On this basis, she moved to the next class.”

The first version carries the reason inside the same sentence. The second version splits the reason and the result into two sentences.

Common Mistakes With The Phrase

The most common problem is a vague “this.” If three ideas appear before the phrase, the reader may not know which one is the basis. Fix that by naming the reason again, or by placing the phrase right after the sentence it refers to.

Another problem is using the phrase as filler. If the sentence works with “so,” use “so.” Save “on this basis” for writing where the reason-to-result link matters.

Problem	Better Wording	Why It Works
Vague “this”	The report shows a loss. On this basis, spending was cut.	The reason sits right before the phrase.
Too casual	The numbers dropped, so we waited.	A short word fits casual writing better.
Too wordy	Based on that, we changed the date.	The lighter phrase suits a simple update.
Reason named too late	On the basis of the audit, payment was paused.	The reason appears inside the same sentence.
Wrong plural	These are the bases for the appeal.	“Bases” is the plural form of “basis.”

A Neat Rule For Clean Sentences

Use “on this basis” only when the previous sentence gives a clear reason. If the reader has to ask “on what basis?”, the sentence needs repair. Move the reason closer, name it again, or choose a plainer phrase.

The phrase is a solid fit when a sentence must sound careful, polite, and reasoned. It tells the reader that the next step rests on the fact, rule, or standard already placed on the page.