Contrast: the opposite of "automatically" or "by default"
Register: neutral-to-formal, common in spoken team discussions and written policy documents
0 / 29 completed
1 / 29
A policy doc reads: "We don't have a blanket rule for exceeding rate limits; requests are evaluated ___ ." Which phrase best signals that each instance is judged individually rather than by a fixed rule?
On a case-by-case basis is a fixed idiom meaning "individually, judged on its own merits rather than by a fixed rule." It uses the indefinite article "a" and the preposition "on." "On the case-by-case basis" wrongly uses "the," "in a case-by-case basis" uses the wrong preposition, and "on case-by-cases basis" wrongly pluralizes "case."
2 / 29
Which sentence uses "on a case-by-case basis" correctly?
"Those are reviewed on a case-by-case basis" correctly describes individual evaluation instead of a fixed automated rule. It cannot introduce a bare future plan, an instruction, or a scheduled future event, none of which describe a decision-making method.
3 / 29
Fill the blank: "Exceptions to the coding standard are granted ___ , usually after discussion in code review."
On a case-by-case basis has a fixed word order: "on" + "a" + "case-by-case" + "basis." The other options scramble this into invalid, meaningless sequences.
4 / 29
Which pair correctly distinguishes "on a case-by-case basis" from "automatically"?
"Requests are approved on a case-by-case basis" implies someone reviews each request individually. "Requests are approved automatically" implies a uniform rule with no individual review — the two describe opposite approaches.
5 / 29
An incident response runbook reads: "Whether to page the on-call engineer for a warning-level alert is decided ___ , depending on the affected service." Which best completes the sentence?
On a case-by-case basis is the correct, fixed form. The other options scramble the required word order into invalid phrases.
6 / 29
Which sentence contains an error in the use of "on a case-by-case basis"?
"On a case-by-case basis that the compliance team approved, the server rebooted overnight" incorrectly attaches a relative clause and applies the phrase to an unrelated standalone event rather than to a described decision-making process. The other three sentences use it correctly.
7 / 29
Choose the sentence where "on a case-by-case basis" is best replaced by "individually, on its own merits" without changing the meaning.
"Each request is handled individually, on its own merits" preserves the meaning exactly. The other options misuse the phrase as an urgency marker, an unrelated construction, or a pairing with a specific future date.
8 / 29
A support escalation policy states: "SLA exceptions for enterprise customers are granted ___ by the account team, not automatically." Which best fits?
On a case-by-case basis is the correct, standard form — the indefinite article "a" and singular "case" are fixed. Option A wrongly uses "the." Option B wrongly pluralizes "case." Option D wrongly uses "at" instead of "on."
9 / 29
Which register note about "on a case-by-case basis" is accurate?
"On a case-by-case basis" works equally well in a spoken team discussion ("We'll handle those on a case-by-case basis") and a written support policy document. It always describes individual, judgment-based evaluation rather than a fixed rule.
10 / 29
Which sentence best demonstrates "on a case-by-case basis" describing individual, judgment-based evaluation instead of a fixed automated rule?
"...the platform team reviews overage requests on a case-by-case basis and grants exceptions for legitimate use cases" is the textbook use: individual review contrasted with a rigid automated rule. The other options misuse the phrase as a command intensifier, insert it awkwardly mid-clause, or pair it incorrectly with a future date.
11 / 29
Sarah, the lead developer, commented on a PR: 'The database migration script needs to be reviewed _on a case-by-case basis_ considering the impact on each table. We can't just apply this globally.' What does Sarah mean by this statement?
Sarah's statement emphasizes individualized evaluation. 'On a case-by-case basis' indicates that each table's migration needs to be assessed separately for potential problems like data inconsistencies or performance bottlenecks, rather than applying a single, universal approach. The core idea is judgment and risk mitigation.
12 / 29
Mark wrote in a Slack message: 'We'll need to handle the API key rotation _on a case-by-case basis_, particularly for legacy systems that don't support automatic updates.' What is the primary meaning of Mark's phrasing?
Mark's use of 'on a case-by-case basis' highlights the need for tailored solutions. It means the approach to rotating API keys will differ depending on the system's age, complexity, and integration points – a standardized automated rotation wouldn't be suitable in all scenarios.
13 / 29
Complete the sentence: 'Requests exceeding the CDN bandwidth limit are reviewed ___ , considering factors like user location and content type.'
'On a case-by-case basis' implies that the decision isn't based on simple rules but requires a detailed assessment of the situation. The sentence indicates that factors like user location and content type are considered when determining whether to grant an exception to the bandwidth limit – a blanket rule wouldn't be appropriate.
14 / 29
Emily wrote in a PR description: 'The new feature will be implemented _on a case-by-case basis_, depending on the user's specific needs and the complexity of their use case.' What is Emily trying to convey?
'On a case-by-case basis' indicates that Emily is advocating for flexibility. The implementation of the new feature will not follow a rigid process but will be adapted to each user's unique requirements and needs – recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn't be effective.
15 / 29
Sarah, the lead developer, commented on a PR: 'The database migration script needs to be reviewed _on a case-by-case basis_ considering the impact on each table. We can't just apply this globally.' What does Sarah mean by this statement?
Sarah's statement emphasizes individualized evaluation. 'On a case-by-case basis' indicates that each table's migration needs to be assessed separately for potential problems like data inconsistencies or performance bottlenecks, rather than applying a single, universal approach. The core idea is judgment and risk mitigation.
16 / 29
Mark wrote in a Slack message: 'We'll need to handle the API key rotation _on a case-by-case basis_, particularly for legacy systems that don't support automatic updates.' What is the primary meaning of Mark's phrasing?
Mark's use of 'on a case-by-case basis' highlights the need for tailored solutions. It means the approach to rotating API keys will differ depending on the system's age, complexity, and integration points – a standardized automated rotation wouldn't be suitable in all scenarios.
17 / 29
Complete the sentence: 'Requests exceeding the CDN bandwidth limit are reviewed ___ , considering factors like user location and content type.'
'On a case-by-case basis' implies that the decision isn't based on simple rules but requires a detailed assessment of the situation. The sentence indicates that factors like user location and content type are considered when determining whether to grant an exception to the bandwidth limit – a blanket rule wouldn't be appropriate.
18 / 29
Emily wrote in a PR description: 'The new feature will be implemented _on a case-by-case basis_, depending on the user's specific needs and the complexity of their use case.' What is Emily trying to convey?
'On a case-by-case basis' indicates that Emily is advocating for flexibility. The implementation of the new feature will not follow a rigid process but will be adapted to each user's unique requirements and needs – recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn't be effective.
19 / 29
Sarah, the lead developer, commented on a PR: 'The database migration script needs to be reviewed _on a case-by-case basis_ considering the impact on each table. We can't just apply this globally.' What does Sarah mean by this statement?
Sarah's statement emphasizes individualized evaluation. 'On a case-by-case basis' indicates that each table's migration needs to be assessed separately for potential problems like data inconsistencies or performance bottlenecks, rather than applying a single, universal approach. The core idea is judgment and risk mitigation.
20 / 29
Mark wrote in a Slack message: 'We'll need to handle the API key rotation _on a case-by-case basis_, particularly for legacy systems that don't support automatic updates.' What is the primary meaning of Mark's phrasing?
Mark's use of 'on a case-by-case basis' highlights the need for tailored solutions. It means the approach to rotating API keys will differ depending on the system's age, complexity, and integration points – a standardized automated rotation wouldn't be suitable in all scenarios.
21 / 29
Complete the sentence: 'Requests exceeding the CDN bandwidth limit are reviewed ___ , considering factors like user location and content type.'
'On a case-by-case basis' implies that the decision isn't based on simple rules but requires a detailed assessment of the situation. The sentence indicates that factors like user location and content type are considered when determining whether to grant an exception to the bandwidth limit – a blanket rule wouldn't be appropriate.
22 / 29
Emily wrote in a PR description: 'The new feature will be implemented _on a case-by-case basis_, depending on the user's specific needs and the complexity of their use case.' What is Emily trying to convey?
'On a case-by-case basis' indicates that Emily is advocating for flexibility. The implementation of the new feature will not follow a rigid process but will be adapted to each user's unique requirements and needs – recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn't be effective.
23 / 29
David: 'The automated deployment pipeline will handle all microservice updates. No manual intervention is required.'
Which of the following best describes David's statement in relation to the principle of 'on a case-by-case basis'?
'On a case-by-case basis' implies judgment and deviation from standard procedures. David's statement lacks this nuance – it assumes a one-size-fits-all solution which is rarely appropriate in software development. The correct option recognizes the need to assess each situation independently before applying automated processes.
24 / 29
PR Description: 'We'll implement this new payment gateway integration on a case-by-case basis, focusing on the specific merchant requirements and ensuring full PCI compliance.' What is the *primary* reason for this phrasing?
The phrase 'on a case-by-case basis' signals the need for tailored solutions. It highlights that a standardized implementation wouldn't adequately address the diverse requirements of different merchants and the strict compliance demands of PCI regulations. The phrasing is about adapting to specifics rather than applying a blanket rule.
25 / 29
During a standup meeting, Alex said: 'We'll need to investigate the performance degradation of the user authentication service on a case-by-case basis, examining individual user sessions and correlating them with server load metrics.' What does Alex's statement primarily emphasize? This approach avoids blanket optimizations.
Alex's phrasing highlights a judgment-based approach. 'On a case-by-case basis' means investigating and addressing problems individually, rather than applying a uniform solution. The incorrect options suggest either a lack of nuance or an oversimplification – the core concept is tailoring solutions to specific situations.
26 / 29
In a code review comment, Ben wrote: 'The new error handling logic needs to be tested on a case-by-case basis, simulating various user inputs and edge cases.' What is the most accurate interpretation of Ben's statement?
It indicates a need for granular testing, focusing on specific scenarios rather than relying solely on automated tests.
'On a case-by-case basis' in this context signifies careful, scenario-specific validation. It's not about exhaustive testing or manual coding; it's about simulating particular situations to ensure the error handling functions correctly under those specific conditions. The other options misinterpret the nuance of the phrase.
27 / 29
Sarah, a senior engineer, responded to a Slack message from a junior developer: 'Regarding the database schema changes, we'll need to evaluate them on a case-by-case basis, considering the impact on existing queries and data dependencies.' What is Sarah's primary concern?
She wants to avoid unintended consequences that might arise from broad, sweeping modifications.
The phrase 'on a case-by-case basis' in this scenario emphasizes careful evaluation. It implies that changes shouldn't be implemented blindly but rather assessed individually to mitigate potential problems like broken queries or data inconsistencies. This is about risk management and avoiding unintended side effects.
28 / 29
A PR description states: 'The new API endpoint will be deployed on a case-by-case basis, initially targeting a subset of users for beta testing and monitoring.' What is the *most* important reason for this approach?
It allows for controlled rollout and early feedback before wider release.
The phrase 'on a case-by-case basis' here refers to a phased rollout. This controlled approach allows the team to monitor the API's performance and identify any issues before exposing it to a larger user base, thereby minimizing potential disruption. It highlights an iterative deployment strategy.
29 / 29
During a retrospective, David said: 'We should address the high latency issues with the microservice X on a case-by-case basis. For instance, we can optimize specific database queries for users experiencing slow response times.' What does David mean in this context?
He's advocating for targeted solutions based on individual user behavior and performance data.
'On a case-by-case basis' signifies a diagnostic and responsive approach. It means identifying specific performance bottlenecks – like slow queries – and addressing them with targeted optimizations rather than attempting to fix everything at once. This reflects a problem-solving methodology.
What will I practise in ""On A Case-By-Case Basis" as a Decision-Methodology Marker — IT English Grammar"?
Practice using "on a case-by-case basis" to describe individual, judgment-based evaluation instead of a fixed rule, in policy docs and support runbooks.
How many exercises are in this module?
This module has 29 multiple-choice exercises, each with instant feedback and a full explanation of the correct answer.
Is this exercise free to use?
Yes. Every exercise on CoderSlingo, including this one, is free to use with no account, sign-up, or paywall.
Do I need to create an account to do these exercises?
No account is required. Just click an option to answer — your score for this session is tracked automatically in the progress bar above.
What happens if I choose the wrong answer?
You'll immediately see which answer was correct, plus a full explanation covering the grammar rule and reasoning behind it — mistakes are where most of the learning happens.
Can I retry the exercises if I want a higher score?
Yes — use the "Try again" button on the results screen to reset and go through all the questions again.
Is my progress saved if I close the page?
No. Progress is tracked only for your current visit; reloading or leaving the page resets the counter. This keeps the exercise simple and account-free.
Where can I find more Grammar exercises?
Browse the full Grammar hub for related drills, or check the "Next up" link below to continue with a connected topic.
How is this different from reading an article on the same topic?
Articles explain grammar rules in prose; this exercise tests and reinforces those rules through active recall with immediate feedback — the two work best together.
Who writes these exercises?
Every exercise is written by the CoderSlingo team, drawing on real workplace English used in IT roles, then reviewed for accuracy and clarity.