Based on the growth rates of large modern reptiles such as

Question

Based on the growth rates of large modern reptiles such as  the Galapagos tortoise and examination of fossils of juvenile dinosaurs, scientists estimat that the larger dinosaurs probably lived to be between 100 and 200 years old.
(A) Based on the growth rates of large modern reptiles such as
(B) On the basis of growth rates of large modern reptiles such as
(C) Based on the growth rates of large modern reptiles like
(D) On the basis of growth rates of large modern reptiles like
(E) Based on the growth rates as those of large modern reptiles such as

banerjeea_98 · Answer

Between A, B, E....I pick "B".....altho I am not sure of the usage of "On the basis" vs "Based on".

saurabhmalpani · Answer

Yup! B.

Reason: Based on Modifies where as On the basis Modifies Scientist Estimate.

HTH.
If not I can explain In detail
Thanks
Saurabh Malpani

HongHu · Answer

Yes, I would appreciate if you could give more detailed explanations about "base on" and "on the basis of". I'm still confused about them. Thanks!

saurabhmalpani · Answer

Do you C what is what is being modified In A? Ask yourself what is based on? Scientist ot the estimate ... it's is not clear in A... So A is wrong.

Where as in B.."on the basis" is modifying the "estimate made by scientist"

Does it help?

Saurabh Malpani

nocilis · Answer

B)
Reason is simple:
X and  Y : Both X and Y have to be parallel
We need to make the first part parallel to the second part after  and  i.e  examination 

For this we need a noun!
 Based on  is  Adjective 
 On the basis  is  Noun  phrase

So  On the basis  wins.

 Such as  makes more sense than  like  as we are giving examples here.

maybeanoop · Answer

Wow nocilis !! Your explanation seems plausible.

Could you explain a bit more..
"Based on" is Adjective 
"On the basis" is Noun phrase 

Why "Based on" is adjective? which noun it is modifying?
Why "On the basis" is noun phrase? Is it not adjective similar to "based on" modifying scientists?

Thanks,

maaverick · Answer

(B) seems fine.

1) "Based on" vs "On the basis of" - Based on conveys the meaning that the scientists were based on something. Whereas, "on the basis of" conveys that their findings were based on something.

2) "such as" vs "like": such as is used when arguments are quoted citing examples from the sample space. In this case, "the Galapagos tortoise and examination of fossils of juvenile dinosaurs".

chunjuwu · Answer

go with B. 
(A)(C)(E) based on is dangling
(D) the useage of  like  is no better than that of  such as .

HongHu · Answer

Ahh I got you. If the subject is the finding and not the people then it would be ok to use "based on" right?

OA is (B).

Folaa3 · Answer

Everyday i learn something new. Based on, on the basis. I never thought of it as Maaverick has explained. Thanks guys

Based on the growth rates of large modern reptiles such as

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