a basic thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a basic thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental or simple concept or item in a discussion or explanation. Example: "Understanding the basic thing about this process is crucial for success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

That's a basic thing for me.

The New York Times

So we have a basic thing.

The Guardian - Music

My mental contact with you is a basic thing.

The New York Times - Books

Access to safe water is such a basic thing, and yet people don't have it".

The New York Times

Something people accept as such a basic thing they buy off their supermarket shelf is actually such a difficult problem".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It does not get involved as a proprietor, but is equipped to carry out works.I'll give you an example, of a basic thing about the state.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"Such a basic thing--but not as easy as it sounds--to keep your eye on the ball till the ball hits the racquet," McEnroe observed.

The New Yorker

"It is a very basic thing to enable an artist to travel," said Conor Ralphs, a painter and installation artist based in Cape Town who was awarded a travel grant from Art Moves Africa in 2011 to visit Madagascar.

The New York Times - Arts

You could put it down to a very basic thing [Clash manager] Bernie Rhodes said to me once.

The Guardian - Music

When we brew coffee or tea, we're doing a very basic thing: bringing plain water into contact with dried plant materials to imbue the water with flavor, color and various active substances, like caffeine and antioxidant polyphenols.

The New York Times - Food

"Lidar is going to be folded into your research program, a really basic thing you do to understand the questions you want to answer".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a basic thing" when referring to a fundamental or essential element that is easily understood. For instance, "Providing clean water is a basic thing for any community."

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing "a basic thing". Opt for more precise terms like "fundamental principle" or "essential requirement" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a basic thing" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, the expression refers to something fundamental or simple. Examples show it describing essential needs, concepts, or actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

21%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a basic thing" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote something fundamental or simple. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers insights into its usage. While frequently found in news and media, and wiki contexts, it's less common in formal or scientific writing. When aiming for greater precision in formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "a fundamental aspect" or "an essential requirement". Remember to use "a basic thing" when you want to emphasize the simplicity and importance of an element.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental aspect

Replaces "thing" with "aspect", focusing on a component or feature.

a simple matter

Substitutes "basic" with "simple" and "thing" with "matter", emphasizing ease or lack of complexity.

an elementary concept

Replaces "basic" with "elementary" and "thing" with "concept", highlighting the introductory nature of an idea.

a core element

Changes "basic" to "core" and "thing" to "element", stressing the essential nature of something.

a key component

Replaces "basic" with "key" and "thing" with "component", emphasizing the importance of a part.

a standard element

Swaps "basic" with "standard", focusing on how ordinary or common is the element.

a simple concept

Substitutes 'thing' with 'concept' providing a more abstract feel.

a fundamental requirement

Replaces "thing" with "requirement", focusing on its necessity.

a base requirement

Synonymizes "basic" with "base" focusing in the necessity of something.

a primary concern

Emphasizes the importance of the "thing" as a main concern.

FAQs

What does "a basic thing" mean?

The phrase "a basic thing" refers to something fundamental, essential, or simple that is easy to understand or recognize. It emphasizes the importance of something as a foundation or necessity.

What can I say instead of "a basic thing"?

You can use alternatives like "a fundamental aspect", "a simple matter", or "a core element" depending on the context.

Is "a basic thing" formal or informal?

The phrase "a basic thing" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use more precise and sophisticated terms like "fundamental principle" or "essential requirement".

How to use "a basic thing" in a sentence?

You can use "a basic thing" to describe something that is essential or fundamental. For example, "Access to education is "a fundamental human right"", and providing it's "a basic thing" we should offer to all children.