Difference between base and basis

[K.]

Test No. incompl/inter-60 "Cliches", question 8

You fill in those forms on a weekly ..........

(a) stand
(b) base
(c) size
(d) basis

Test No. incompl/inter-60 "Cliches", answer 8

You fill in those forms on a weekly basis.

Correct answer: (d) basis

Your answer was: incorrect
You fill in those forms on a weekly base.
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Hello,
what's the difference between base and basis in this sentence?

a bientot, K.

[Alan]

Hi K,

Thanks for an interesting question. The main difference is that base is the literal word and basis the figurative word. So base means the foundation/the bottom part. If you want to build something on the ground and you want it to be firm and not move, you must make sure that the base is solid. If you are talking about an argument/a discussion/a philosophy, you would use the word basis for the starting point.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Asad]

hello Mr.Alan

it seems i am removing the dust from old files!

so the answer precisely separates the two.Ok, lets have a look at this interesting discussion http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic11459.html would you please answer to queries raised in that discussion then i might have some more questions.

A little addition in reply to K

in addition to above the meaning(Mr.Alan`s post), the word `basis` also means `the way sth is organized or arranged`-oxford dictionary, this is what `basis` meant in your question.

[Saneta]

on a weekly basis? the meaning in above sentence? I don't catch it, thanks

[Kitosdad]

Good morning Saneta.
The frequency of the mail despatch. Every week.

Kitos.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[A4apple]

Thanks

[A4apple]

and the difference between can not and cannot?

[A4apple]

What's the difference between although and though?

[Beeesneees]

According to Oxford, both cannot and can not are acceptable spellings, but the first is much more usual. You would use can not when the 'not' forms part of another construction such as 'not only'.

However, there are times when one is definitely preferred over the other in my experience.
Generally, cannot does not leave the possibility of being able to do something. 'Cannot' is unequivocal: it means you do not have a choice; something you cannot do is not something you “can” or “can not” do. It means that you are not able to do that thing.
Can not is used where an emphasis of the negative aspect of 'not' is required.

So:
'I cannot be in two places at the same time.'
'You can go to the party or you can not go to the party, the choice is up to you.'
What seems to work most of the time is, if in spoken English you find yourself saying “can’t”, then in formal English it is generally safer and more acceptable to write “cannot”.
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"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Beeesneees]

For a comparison of 'though' and 'although', please see these threads:
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic19595.html
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic16038.html
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic39858.html
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic14562.html

There is also an explanation here.
_________________
"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett