Understanding ‘Based’: Key Word for IELTS Success
Learn about the word ‘based’, essential for IELTS learners targeting a 5.5 band score or higher. This video covers its meaning, usage as an adjective and verb, etymology, synonyms, antonyms, and common mistakes to avoid. Improve your IELTS score by mastering this versatile word.
Today we are learning about the word based, an important term for IELTS learners aiming for a band score of five point five or higher.
Word type: Based is primarily used as an adjective, though it can also function as the past tense and past participle of the verb base.
Meaning: As an adjective, based means having a specified base or foundation. It is often used to indicate that something is located in a particular place or has its main activities in that location.
As a verb, to base means to use something as the foundation or starting point for something else.
Word history: The word based comes from the Old French word bas, meaning low or foundation.
This, in turn, came from the Latin basis, which referred to the bottom or foundation of something.
Antonyms: Some opposite words for based include unsupported, groundless, and unfounded.
Synonyms: Words with similar meanings include founded, grounded, and established.
Examples use in sentences: Let us look at how to use based in different contexts.
First, as an adjective: The company is based in London, but has offices worldwide. Now, as a verb: She based her decision on the available facts.
Lastly, in a common IELTS-style sentence: The research was based on a survey of one thousand participants.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is confusing based with bias. Remember, based refers to a foundation or location, while bias means prejudice or unfair preference.
Another error is using based without on when it functions as a verb. Always say based on, not just based.
For example, say The conclusion is based on the evidence, not The conclusion is based the evidence. To sum up, based is a versatile word that can function as both an adjective and a verb.
It refers to having a foundation or being located in a particular place. Remember to use it with on when it is a verb, and practice using it in different contexts to improve your IELTS score.
