Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Separate and distinct from others of the same kind: Describes something considered individually, not as part of a general rule or group. Each item or situation is evaluated on its own specific merits and circumstances.

Usage

• The term "case-by-case" is used to describe an approach, analysis, or decision-making process where each instance is handled individually and separately.
• It is almost always used attributively (before a noun) or in the adverbial phrase "on a case-by-case basis."

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The manager reviews all exemption requests on a case-by-case basis. (Each request is considered individually.)
  • We need a case-by-case assessment of these applications. (Each application requires its own separate evaluation.)
  • The policy is not applied uniformly; it's handled case-by-case. (The policy is applied differently to each separate situation.)

Advanced Usage

• "on a case-by-case basis": This is the most common adverbial phrase. It means "individually" or "according to the specific details of each separate case."
  • Approval for funding is granted on a case-by-case basis.
• The hyphenated form "case-by-case" is standard when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., a case-by-case review). It can sometimes be used without hyphens in adverbial phrases, but hyphenation is generally preferred for clarity.

Variants and Related Words

• Individual (adj): Of, for, or relating to a single person or thing.
  • Each student received individual attention.
• Ad hoc (adj/adv): Created or done for a particular purpose as necessary; often implies a temporary or improvised solution for a specific case.
  • The committee was formed on an ad hoc basis.
• Discretionary (adj): Available for use at the discretion of the user; decided based on individual judgment.
  • The fund is for discretionary spending.

Synonyms

• Individual
• Separate
• Particular
• Specific
• One-off (informal)

Related Phrases

• To judge/evaluate/consider something on its own merits: To assess something based solely on its individual qualities, not in comparison to others.
  • We judge each submission on its own merits.

Adjective

1. separate and distinct from others of the same kind
   • mark the individual pages
   • on a case-by-case basis