base、basis、foundation与ground这些名词均含有“基础”之意。
base : 侧重指构成或支撑某一具体物体的基础，也可指军事基地或用作比喻意义。
- A strong economy depends on a healthy manufacturing base.
强大的经济依赖于健康的制造业基础。 - We're aiming to expand our customer base.
我们正在致力于扩大客源。
basis : 主要用作抽象或引申意义。
- This document will form the basis for our discussion.
这个文件将是我们讨论的基础。 - Their proposals have no proven scientific basis.
他们的提议没有确凿的科学根据。 - Decisions were often made on the basis of (= using) incorrect information.
决定常常是根据错误的信息作出的。
foundation : 用于具体意义时，侧重指坚固结实的建筑物的基础或地基；用作比喻意义时，与basis基本相同。
- The builders are now beginning to lay the foundations of the new school.
建筑工人正开始给新校舍打地基。 - The explosion shook the foundations of the houses nearby.
爆炸震撼了附近房屋的地基。 - Respect and friendship provide a solid foundation for marriage.
尊重和友爱是婚姻的牢固基础。 - The rumour is totally without foundation (= not based on any facts) .
这谣传毫无事实根据。 - These stories have no foundation (= are not based on any facts) .
这些故事纯属虚构。
ground : 含义与basis和foundation接近。一般指某种决定、论点或关系的基础，也可指某种原因的基础。
- She is suing the company on grounds of unfair dismissal.
她正以公司不公正解雇她为由对其提起诉讼。 - UK Do you have any ground for suspecting them?
你有什么根据怀疑他们？ - We have grounds to believe that you have been lying to us.
我们有理由相信，你一直在对我们撒谎。 - He refused to answer on the grounds that the question violated his rights to privacy.
他以个人隐私被侵犯为由拒绝作出答复。
