base off
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To make something using another thing as your starting point or main idea.
Literal meaning: To found something 'off' another thing — 'off' here implies derivation, which is non-standard.
Meanings
1 B2 informal
(Informal, non-standard) To use something as the source, foundation, or inspiration for something else.
"The game's plot is based off an obscure French novel from the 1970s."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Widely considered non-standard; 'base on' or 'base upon' are preferred in formal writing. However, 'base off' and 'base off of' are extremely common in informal American English speech and online writing. Learners should be aware of the stigma in formal contexts.
Commonly used with
idea design character story concept model
Forms
Base
base off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bases off
he/she/it
Past simple
based off
yesterday
Past participle
based off
have + pp
-ing form
basing off
continuous
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