The authors present a technique of deriving basic hypergeometric identities from specializations using fewer parameters, by using the classical Cauchy identity on the expansion of the power of $x$ in terms of the $q$-binomial coefficients. This method is referred to as ‘Cauchy augmentation’. Despite its simple appearance, the Cauchy identity plays a key role in parameter augmentation. For example, one can reach the $q$-Gauss summation formula from the Euler identity by using the Cauchy augmentation twice. This idea also applies to Jackson's $_2\phi_1$ to $_3\phi_1$ transformation formula. Moreover, a transformation formula analogous to Jackson's formula is obtained.