Base vs. Basis: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Base" refers to the foundation or main supporting structure, while "Basis" is the fundamental principle or underlying reason.
Key Differences
The word "Base" is often used to denote the lowest part or foundation of an object, emphasizing physical structures. In contrast, "Basis" is more abstract, referring to the underlying principles or reasons behind something. For instance, a building has a concrete base, while a theory has a logical basis.
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Nov 22, 2023
In geometry, "Base" refers to the bottom edge of a shape, such as a triangle, whereas "Basis" in mathematics often implies the foundational elements of a vector space. This distinction highlights how "Base" is more physical and "Basis" more conceptual.
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Nov 22, 2023
In chemistry, a "Base" is a substance that can accept hydrogen ions, a tangible entity, while in argumentation, the "Basis" of an argument refers to the fundamental facts or premises, which are intangible.
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Nov 22, 2023
When discussing organizations, "Base" may refer to the headquarters or main facility, a physical location. On the other hand, "Basis" can describe the core principles or ideologies that underpin the organization's operations, which are abstract in nature.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
In linguistics, "Base" refers to the root word to which affixes are added, a concrete element of language structure. "Basis," however, might be used to discuss the foundational rules or logic of a language system, an abstract concept.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage in Science
Physical substances or structures
Underlying principles or theories
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Nov 22, 2023
Organizational Use
Headquarters or main facility of an entity
Core principles or ideologies underpinning an entity
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Nov 22, 2023
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Base and Basis Definitions
Base
A main ingredient to which other things are added.
The soup's base was a rich, homemade chicken stock.
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Nov 22, 2023
Basis
The underlying support or foundation for an idea, argument, or process.
Trust is the basis of their strong relationship.
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Nov 22, 2023
Base
In chemistry, a substance that reacts with acids.
Soap is a common household base.
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Nov 22, 2023
Basis
The main reason or motivation for something.
Economic growth is often the basis for political decisions.
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Nov 22, 2023
Base
In mathematics, the number that is raised to a power.
In the expression 2^3, 2 is the base.
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Nov 22, 2023
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Basis
A set of principles on which a subject is based.
The course is designed on the basis of practical skills.
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Nov 22, 2023
Basis
A fixed reference point for a system or measurement.
The experiment was conducted on the basis of controlled variables.
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Nov 22, 2023
Base
The part of a plant or animal organ that is nearest to its point of attachment.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Basis
A fact or circumstance on which something is established
Rumors with no basis in reality.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A supporting part or layer; a foundation
A skyscraper built on a base of solid rock.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A basic or underlying element; infrastructure
The nation's industrial base.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The fundamental principle or underlying concept of a system or theory; a basis.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basis
A regular frequency.
You should brush your teeth on a daily basis at minimum.
The flights to Fiji leave on a weekly basis.
Cars must be checked on a yearly basis.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A fundamental ingredient; a chief constituent
A paint with an oil base.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basis
The difference between the cash price a dealer pays to a farmer for his produce and an agreed reference price, which is usually the futures price at which the given crop is trading at a commodity exchange.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The fact, observation, or premise from which a reasoning process is begun.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basis
(linear algebra) In a vector space, a linearly independent set of vectors spanning the whole vector space.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basis
(accounting) Amount paid for an investment, including commissions and other expenses.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(Baseball) Any one of the four corners of an infield, marked by a bag or plate, that must be touched by a runner before a run can be scored.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basis
(topology) A collection of subsets ("basis elements") of a set, such that this collection covers the set, and for any two basis elements which both contain an element of the set, there is a third basis element contained in the intersection of the first two, which also contains that element.
The collection of all possible unions of basis elements of a basis is said to be the topology generated by that basis.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The portion of a social organization, especially a political party, consisting of the most dedicated or motivated members.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basis
The pedestal of a column, pillar, or statue.
If no basis bear my rising name.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basis
The groundwork; the first or fundamental principle; that which supports.
The basis of public credit is good faith.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A facial cosmetic used to even out the complexion or provide a surface for other makeup; a foundation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basis
A relation that provides the foundation for something;
They were on a friendly footing
He worked on an interim basis
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(Architecture) The lowest part of a structure, such as a wall, considered as a separate unit
The base of a column.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basis
The fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained;
The whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture
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Oct 19, 2023
Basis
The most important or necessary part of something;
The basis of this drink is orange juice
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(Linguistics) A morpheme or morphemes regarded as a form to which affixes or other bases may be added.
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Oct 19, 2023
Basis
A principal constituent; a basic ingredient.
The diet's basis is whole, unprocessed foods.
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Nov 22, 2023
Base
The side or face of a geometric figure to which an altitude is or is thought to be drawn.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The number that is raised to various powers to generate the principal counting units of a number system. The base of the decimal system, for example, is 10.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The number raised to the logarithm of a designated number in order to produce that designated number; the number at which a chosen logarithmic scale has the value 1.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Any of a class of compounds whose aqueous solutions are characterized by a bitter taste, a slippery feel, the ability to turn litmus blue, and the ability to react with acids to form salts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A substance that can donate a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
One of the nitrogen-containing purines (adenine and guanine) or pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, and uracil) that occurs attached to the sugar component of DNA or RNA.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Situated at or near the base or bottom
A base camp for the mountain climbers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Having or showing a lack of decency; contemptible, mean-spirited, or selfish.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
To find a basis for; establish
Based her conclusions on the report.
A film based on a best-selling novel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(cosmetics) Foundation: a cosmetic cream to make the face appear uniform.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(chemistry) Any of a class of generally water-soluble compounds, having bitter taste, that turn red litmus blue, and react with acids to form salts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(baseball) One of the four places that a runner can stand without being subject to being tagged out when the ball is in play.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(architecture) The lowermost part of a column, between the shaft and the pedestal or pavement.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(botany) The end of a leaf, petal or similar organ where it is attached to its support.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(electronics) The name of the controlling terminal of a bipolar transistor (BJT).
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(geometry) The lowest side of a triangle or other polygon, or the lowest face of a cone, pyramid or other polyhedron laid flat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(mathematics) A number raised to the power of an exponent.
The logarithm to base 2 of 8 is 3.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(topology) A topological space, looked at in relation to one of its covering spaces, fibrations, or bundles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(group theory) A sequence of elements not jointly stabilized by any nontrivial group element.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
In hand-to-hand balance, the person who supports the flyer; the person that remains in contact with the ground.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(linguistics) A morpheme (or morphemes) that serves as a basic foundation on which affixes can be attached.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A kind of skirt (often of velvet or brocade, but sometimes of mail or other armour) which hung from the middle to about the knees, or lower.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A line in a survey which, being accurately determined in length and position, serves as the origin from which to compute the distances and positions of any points or objects connected with it by a system of triangles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(politics) A group of voters who almost always support a single party's candidates for elected office.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(Marxism) The forces and relations of production that produce the necessities and amenities of life.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(transitive) To give as its foundation or starting point; to lay the foundation of.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(legal) Not held by honourable service.
A base estate is one held by services not honourable, or held by villenage. Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant is a base tenant.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Base
Of little, or less than the usual, height; of low growth; as, base shrubs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Of little comparative value, as metal inferior to gold and silver, the precious metals.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Morally low. Hence: Low-minded; unworthy; without dignity of sentiment; ignoble; mean; illiberal; menial; as, a base fellow; base motives; base occupations.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Base
Not held by honorable service; as, a base estate, one held by services not honorable; held by villenage. Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant, a base tenant.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The bottom of anything, considered as its support, or that on which something rests for support; the foundation; as, the base of a statue.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Fig.: The fundamental or essential part of a thing; the essential principle; a groundwork.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The lower part of a wall, pier, or column, when treated as a separate feature, usually in projection, or especially ornamented.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
That extremity of a leaf, fruit, etc., at which it is attached to its support.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The positive, or non-acid component of a salt; a substance which, combined with an acid, neutralizes the latter and forms a salt; - applied also to the hydroxides of the positive elements or radicals, and to certain organic bodies resembling them in their property of forming salts with acids.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Base
The exterior side of the polygon, or that imaginary line which connects the salient angles of two adjacent bastions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The line or surface constituting that part of a figure on which it is supposed to stand.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The number from which a mathematical table is constructed; as, the base of a system of logarithms.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A low, or deep, sound. (Mus.) (a) The lowest part; the deepest male voice. (b) One who sings, or the instrument which plays, base.
The trebles squeak for fear, the bases roar.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Base
A place or tract of country, protected by fortifications, or by natural advantages, from which the operations of an army proceed, forward movements are made, supplies are furnished, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
That part of an organ by which it is attached to another more central organ.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A kind of skirt (often of velvet or brocade, but sometimes of mailed armor) which hung from the middle to about the knees, or lower.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Base
The point or line from which a start is made; a starting place or a goal in various games.
To their appointed base they went.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
A line in a survey which, being accurately determined in length and position, serves as the origin from which to compute the distances and positions of any points or objects connected with it by a system of triangles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
To put on a base or basis; to lay the foundation of; to found, as an argument or conclusion; - used with on or upon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
To abase; to let, or cast, down; to lower.
If any . . . based his pike.
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water;
Bases include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Installation from which a military force initiates operations;
The attack wiped out our forward bases
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Lowest support of a structure;
It was built on a base of solid rock
He stood at the foot of the tower
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Place that runner must touch before scoring;
He scrambled to get back to the bag
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(numeration system) the positive integer that is equivalent to one in the next higher counting place;
10 is the radix of the decimal system
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(anatomy) the part of an organ nearest its point of attachment;
The base of the skull
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained;
The whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The bottom side of a geometric figure from which the altitude can be constructed;
The base of the triangle
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Base
The most important or necessary part of something;
The basis of this drink is orange juice
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The place where you are stationed and from which missions start and end
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
An intensely anti-western terrorist network that dispenses money and logistical support and training to a wide variety of radical Islamic terrorist group; has cells in more than 50 countries
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed;
Thematic vowels are part of the stem
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area;
The industrial base of Japan
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
The principal ingredient of a mixture;
Glycerinated gelatin is used as a base for many ointments
He told the painter that he wanted a yellow base with just a hint of green
Everything she cooked seemed to have rice as the base
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Base
A flat bottom on which something is intended to sit;
A tub should sit on its own base
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(electronics) the part of a transistor that separates the emitter from the collector
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Serving as or forming a base;
The painter applied a base coat followed by two finishing coats
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
(used of metals) consisting of or alloyed with inferior metal;
Base coins of aluminum
A base metal
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Of low birth or station (`base' is archaic in this sense);
Baseborn wretches with dirty faces
Of humble (or lowly) birth
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Oct 19, 2023
Base
Not adhering to ethical or moral principles;
Base and unpatriotic motives
A base, degrading way of life
Cheating is dishonorable
They considered colonialism immoral
Unethical practices in handling public funds
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Base
Having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality;
That liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble
Taking a mean advantage
Chok'd with ambition of the meaner sort
Something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Base
The lowest part or foundation of something.
The statue stood firm on a solid marble base.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Base
A center of operations or headquarters.
The company's base is located in New York.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does "basis" mean in a legal context?
In legal terms, "basis" refers to the underlying principles or facts supporting a case.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Can "basis" be used to describe physical objects?
No, "basis" typically refers to abstract principles or reasons, not physical objects.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Is "base" used in mathematics?
Yes, "base" in mathematics refers to the number that is raised to a power.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
What does "base" mean in chemistry?
In chemistry, "base" refers to a substance that can neutralize acids.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Is "base" always a physical concept?
While often physical, "base" can also refer to abstract concepts like a base of operations.
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Nov 22, 2023
Is "basis" used in scientific research?
Yes, "basis" in research refers to the fundamental theory or principle guiding the study.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Can "base" and "basis" be used interchangeably?
No, they have distinct meanings and are not generally interchangeable.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
What does "base" mean in a military context?
In the military, a "base" is a location used as a center for operations.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
How is "basis" used in education?
In education, "basis" often refers to the fundamental principles or theories underlying a subject.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
What is a "base" in linguistics?
In linguistics, "base" is the root form of a word to which affixes are added.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
How is "basis" used in finance?
In finance, "basis" can refer to the underlying value or principle amount in investments.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Can "basis" refer to a physical foundation?
No, "basis" typically refers to underlying principles or reasons, not physical structures.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Can "base" be used in a metaphorical sense?
Yes, "base" can be used metaphorically to denote the main or key element in a situation.
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Nov 22, 2023
How does "base" function in geometry?
In geometry, "base" refers to the bottom side of a geometric figure.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Can "base" refer to a starting point?
Yes, "base" can sometimes refer to a starting point or foundation for further development.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
What does "basis" mean in everyday language?
In everyday usage, "basis" often means the main reason or motivation for something.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Is "basis" used in computing?
Yes, in computing, "basis" can refer to the fundamental algorithms or principles of a system.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
What is a "base" in baseball?
In baseball, a "base" is one of the four stations a player must touch to score.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Is "basis" ever used in physical sciences?
In physical sciences, "basis" usually refers to the theoretical foundation of a phenomenon.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
Can "base" imply a starting point in an argument?
Yes, "base" can sometimes imply the initial premise or foundation of an argument.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 22, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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