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The phrase "a basic rule of thumb" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a general principle or guideline that is based on practical experience rather than a strict rule.
Example: "As a basic rule of thumb, you should aim to save at least 20% of your income each month."
Alternatives: "a general guideline" or "a rough estimate".
Idiom
Rule of thumb.
(USA) A basic rule that is usually but not always correct.
Exact(12)
A basic rule of thumb: if Jean Reno stars in a film, it is not an arthouse film.
Until now, presidential strategists had a basic rule of thumb: Democrats kill their crown princes — Edmund Muskie in 1972, Hillary Clinton in 2008 — while Republicans consistently honor the next in line, the candidate with the most seniority.
While some rooms may or may not be included in an apartment's "room count" -- kitchens typically are, but bathrooms generally are not -- some brokers say that there is a basic rule of thumb that should be used by sales agents when referring to the number of rooms in an apartment.
When it comes to how much cash to keep around, most experts agree on a basic rule of thumb.
A basic rule of thumb: Don't spend more than 25% of your laptop's cost on the warranty.
A basic rule of thumb: Forget all other responsibilities and take care of Numero Uno.
Similar(48)
There's a myriad possibilities and patterns when it comes to using a plectrum, but this basic rule-of-thumb is essential in your development as a guitarist in all styles of music.
A basic rule of Twitter thumb is: "Only a wang refuses to follow anyone back".
A basic rule of the thumb with EQ in ANY audio you are recording is if you are having to use more than a little, then the problem is with the source.
This basic rule of thumb is, to a certain extent, consistent across acquired and developmental disorders of language.
The basic rule of thumb is that if a project is NPV positive, it should be accepted.
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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com