on a trial basis
on a trial basis — 慣用語
1. used as a temporary arrangement to test whether someone or something is suitable
試用；試行
在正式決定前先測試一段時間
used as a temporary arrangement to test whether someone or something is suitable before making a final decision about them or it
Kim worked on a trial basis for three months before her contract became permanent.
Kim 以試用方式工作了三個月，之後合約才轉為正式。
modifies the verb phrase 'worked'
The hospital hired Dr. Sharma on a trial basis to assess her emergency room skills.
醫院以試用方式聘請 Anika Sharma 醫師，以評估她在急診室的能力。
common pattern: hire/employ + person + on a trial basis
Diego tested the software on a trial basis and bought the full version two weeks later.
Diego 以試用方式測試那套軟體，兩週後決定購買完整版本。
Marie rented the apartment on a trial basis for a month before signing a lease.
Marie 以試用方式租下那間公寓一個月，之後才簽租約。
A new security system was installed on a trial basis at three branch offices.
一套新安全系統先在三間分行試行安裝。
- on probation
more formal and narrower — only used for jobs or official positions, not products
- as a test
more general and less idiomatic; works for both products and arrangements
- experimentally
more scientific or technical; suggests measuring results rather than assessing suitability
- on a tryout basis
more informal, often used for skills or performance (sports, auditions)
- permanently
implies no further evaluation is needed
- indefinitely
suggests an open-ended arrangement with no planned review
文法句型
[verb phrase] + on a trial basis
on a trial basis + [clause]
用法筆記
The phrase can appear at the beginning of a sentence (On a trial basis, the company introduced flexitime) or after the verb phrase, but the post-verb position is far more common in everyday speech and writing. Frequently used with verbs of hiring, adopting, installing, or testing.