Basically

USAGE SUMMARY

"Basically" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb and is used to emphasize something or to introduce a comment on what has been said. Example sentence: "Basically, I think we should focus on getting the project completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Business

Travel

Tech

Lifestyle

Money

Opinion

World

Books

Music

US News

Politics

Arts

Education

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Basically, it is the accrued value of all pensions that are not state basic retirement or state earning related The ONS then combine the above four categories to calculate household wealth.

The Guardian

Basically, it is good news that Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel have performed so strongly: excellent films in that "indie-literate" middle ground that many in the industry have been worrying had been neglected in the general rush to big-budget, big-box-office superhero pictures.

The Guardian - Film

I basically ended up looking at life through plate glass window.

The Guardian - Sport

Separately Vodafone is seeking revisions of auction rules - basically they are objecting to the reserve price being too high and that some of the spectrum being auctioned is already being used by them.

The Guardian - Business

Tucked away under ancient arches just by the bustling San Bartolomeo square, the Rosticceria is basically an old-fashioned self-service cafeteria, dishing up excellent and inexpensive comfort food - a "primo" for €6, followed by roast chicken, or "baccala mantecato", the traditional creamy salt cod.

The Guardian - Travel

"We basically took a view that they were so far gone and in a sense this was a very sobering statement of how much, below the surface, over the previous 10 years, the centre of gravity of Scottish public opinion had shifted in favour of the idea of independence," he says.

The Guardian

"I basically walk into her office and said, 'Hi.

The Guardian

They met up, talked it through and basically what was needed was that my mother had at least £40,000 in equity in her home to be able to act as a guarantor, and that I had to complete a full year at university.

The Guardian - Money

It's basically a photo-customisation app with various Sharknado filters and stickers to use.

The Guardian - Tech

It was a chore basically and I'm sure all teenagers are the same, she didn't want to do a chore.

The Guardian

It's basically the same thing, Boris wrote.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you are speaking or writing to an audience unfamiliar with certain jargon, use the term “basically” before explaining the concept in plain language.

Common error

While "Basically" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Too frequent use can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using more precise alternatives like "Essentially" or "Fundamentally" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "Basically" functions as a discourse marker, signaling the speaker's intention to provide a simplified explanation or summary. Ludwig's examples show its usage in diverse contexts to introduce a core idea or essential point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Film

5%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Business

3%

Travel

2%

Tech

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Basically" is a very common adverb used to introduce simplified explanations or core ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted in diverse contexts, although it's most frequently found in news and media. While suitable for many professional settings, more formal alternatives like "Essentially" or "Fundamentally" may be preferred in highly academic or scientific writing. Avoid overuse to maintain sophistication in formal contexts. Its function is to streamline complex information, enhancing audience understanding by focusing on essential elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Essentially

Highlights the core aspect of a matter, closely mirroring the meaning of "Basically".

To put it simply

Highlights a straightforward explanation, much like "Basically" introduces a simplified version of events.

In simple terms

Offers an easy-to-understand explanation, similar to the simplifying function of "Basically".

In essence

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of something, similar to "Basically", but slightly more formal.

Fundamentally

Indicates a foundational element, akin to "Basically", with a slightly stronger emphasis on underlying principles.

At its core

Focuses on the central or most important part, comparable to using "Basically" to introduce a key point.

Boiled down

Emphasizes the result of simplifying something, much like "Basically" introduces the simplification.

In a nutshell

Conveys a concise summary, similar to using "Basically" to simplify a complex issue.

Stripped down

Indicates reducing something to its most basic elements, much like "Basically" aims to convey a core meaning.

The long and short of it

Summarizes the entire situation, serving a comparable role to using "Basically" to present a condensed version.

FAQs

How can I use "Basically" in a sentence?

"Basically" is used to introduce a simplified explanation or summary of something. For example, "Basically, the new law means higher taxes for everyone."

What are some alternatives to "Basically"?

You can use alternatives like "essentially", "in essence", or "fundamentally" depending on the context.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "Basically"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "Basically". It is commonly used to introduce the main point or a simplified explanation.

What's the difference between "Basically" and "Essentially"?

While both words can be used to simplify or summarize information, "basically" often implies a more casual simplification, whereas "essentially" suggests focusing on the core or fundamental nature of something.