に基づいて|にもとづいて

1. 1Based on some data, facts or research as the grounds from which something is made or decided.Ex. 1
2. 2In accordance with a rule, law or principle that governs how an action is carried out.Ex. 2

A formal expression common in writing, reports, official announcements, business and legal contexts. It presents the preceding noun as the basis or grounds for something. Typical bases are data, facts, laws or rules, but subjective grounds are also possible, as in 偏見に基づいた判断. It is more formal than をもとに, which also suits source material for creative or derived work.

• 1.
  をもとにN2「をもとに」treats the preceding item as raw material or a starting point to be reworked into something new, so the result can differ considerably from the original; it works in both spoken and written language, and to modify a noun you use 「をもとにした」. In sentences like 'a movie based on a true story,' the two are often interchangeable.
• 2.
  に即してN1「に即して」emphasizes conforming to reality or the actual state of things, and it can take a person as its preceding item; when basing something on materials or data, 「に基づいて」is more common, though 「に即して」also works to stress staying true to what the data actually shows. When following laws or regulations the two are close and often interchangeable, and to modify a noun you use 「に即した」or similar forms.
• 3.
  を踏まえてN1「を踏まえて」does not mean strictly following a basis; rather, it means taking a situation or existing results into account and then moving forward, and when connecting to a verb you must first add 「こと」. When acting in accordance with laws, regulations, or data, use 「に基づいて」.
• 4.
  に照らしてN1「に照らして」emphasizes measuring something against standards such as laws, common sense, or experience, and what follows is usually a judgment, evaluation, or disciplinary action—not simple actions like making plans. When the following clause is a judgment or disciplinary action, it is often interchangeable with 「に基づいて」.
• 5.
  に沿ってN2「に沿って」has two meanings—'along a river or road' and 'in line with a plan or policy'—and is neutral in register. The second meaning is close to 「に基づいて」, but it stresses proceeding along an established framework without deviating, so it should not be used to draw conclusions based on data or facts.
• 6.
  に則ってN1「に則って」requires the preceding item to be a norm treated as a code of conduct, such as laws, rules, traditions, or customs; it stresses conforming to the norm and is more formal than 「に基づいて」. The two are interchangeable when the preceding item is a rule, but data and facts cannot take 「に則って」.

Unlike をもとに (using something as material or a starting point) and を踏まえて (taking prior facts into account), に基づいて presents the noun as the grounds for an action or judgment. に照らして means judging by comparison with a standard, に沿って means following a plan or line, に即して means fitting the actual situation, and に則って means strictly conforming to rules or norms and is more formal.