coal-based

If I want to describe the main source of China's engery is coal, could I say: China is a coal-based energy user?

What does "-based" mean here? In what other similar situations, could I also use "-based"?

danielxu85 said:

If I want to describe the main source of China's engery is coal, could I say: China is a coal-based energy user?

What does "-based" mean here? In what other similar situations, could I also use "-based"?

"-based" means the basis for China's energy use. I'm not sure that your original sentence is quite right, though. I would say:

"China's energy production is coal-based"

This means that the main source of China's energy is coal. Your sentence indicates that China's use of energy is coal-based and this doesn't make sense when you're talking about sources of energy.

Thanks, Dimcl! In what other similar situations, could I also use "-based"?

danielxu85 said:

Thanks, Dimcl! In what other similar situations, could I also use "-based"?

You name it... "My cologne is alcohol-based", "Plastics are petroleum-based", "North American medicine is drug-based", etc.

Wonderful, wonderful! Thanks for helping me out, Dimcl.

The main source of China's energy is coal - Coal is China's main source of energy - Most of China's energy comes from coal. To my ear, Daniel, any of these is preferable to any sentence using coal-based.

It's interesting that when you explain what you want to say, I understand you very well, yet when you give us the words you want to use to express the idea, I become less sure of what you mean.

There's a lesson here, Daniel: I suspect you are trying to sound impressive. My advice is to try as far as you can to keep everything simple, direct, and clear.

Thanks, Thomas! I guess I try to use fancy words, but actually use them in the wrong way. I will learn your adivce by heart!

Another bit of advice for what it is worth. Don't use the Your native language/English dictionary to find the English words you want. The more abstract and difficult the words, the more inaccurate the translation in the dictionary. If uncertain of the meaning of an English word, try various English/English dictionaries 👁 Smile :)
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I think Thomas Tompion's suggestions for the sentence are good ones.

"coal-based" means that a product is made from or based on coal.

Vaseline is a petroleum-based product. (Petroleum was used and altered to create vaseline).

Some dyes are coal-based. (meaning that coal was used and altered to create the dye).

They have a coal-based economy.

-->The economy is supported by coal in some way.: They might be making and created products made from coal; They might be mining and selling coal directly; They might be selling land containing coal; There are other possibilities as well.

Orange Blossom