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Prepositions before nouns

Which prepositions are used with “base”?

The noun base combines with different prepositions depending on meaning. Some expressions are fixed, while others are specialised or informal.

Quick answer

Common combinations with “base”

Use at the base of for position near the bottom of something, on base and off base in military contexts, and base of for the lower part of an object. In base is uncommon except in specialised contexts.

They camped at the base of the mountain.
The soldiers stayed on base during training.
Staff can live off base with their families.
There was damage at the base of the tower.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
base of + object

Referring to the lower part of something

Use base of to describe the bottom section of an object or structure.

A crack appeared at the base of the wall.
2
at the base of + place

Showing location near the bottom

This phrase describes position at the lower part of a mountain, building, or structure.

The village lies at the base of the hill.
3
on base

Talking about military bases

On base is common in military English for being inside the base area.

All personnel remained on base overnight.
4
off base

Talking about areas outside a military base

Off base refers to locations away from the military base.

They rented an apartment off base.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
on base
The officers stayed on base during the storm.
Inside a military base area.
off base
We ate off base after training.
Away from a military base.
at base
The team remained at base during the expedition.
At headquarters or the main location.
in base
The phrase appears in some technical contexts.
Not a common general expression with base.
base of
Snow collected at the base of the mountain.
The lower part of something.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “in base” in ordinary English

In base is uncommon in general English. At base or on base is often more natural.

✕ She stayed in base all weekend. ✓ She stayed on base all weekend.

Confusing “on base” and “at the base of”

On base relates to military facilities, while at the base of refers to physical position.

✕ They camped on base of the mountain. ✓ They camped at the base of the mountain.

Leaving out “of” after “base”

Base normally takes of when naming the object above it.

✕ The base the statue was damaged. ✓ The base of the statue was damaged.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The hikers stopped ___ the base of the mountain.
2. Military families sometimes live ___ base.
3. A lamp stood at the ___ of the staircase.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “on base” correct?

Yes. It is common in military English.

What does “off base” mean?

It means away from a military base or outside its area.

Can I say “in base”?

It is uncommon in general English and usually sounds unnatural outside specialised contexts.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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