adhere to the basics

USAGE SUMMARY

"adhere to the basics" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of following fundamental steps or guidelines. For example, "To ensure success, it is important to adhere to the basics and not get too carried away with complicated strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Adhere to the basics.

WikiHow

Always adhere to the basics of heater safety: don't leave space heaters on unattended (including while you sleep) and don't use space heaters that burn fuel indoors, as these pose a carbon monoxide hazard.[3].

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The human newcomers adhere to the basic class templates: Hunter, Assault, Support and Medic.

The Guardian - Tech

"We need to adhere to the basic principle that new tax or entitlement policies should be paid for," he said.

The New York Times

"We need to adhere to the basic principle that new tax or entitlement policies should be paid for," the president said.

The New York Times

Black-hat hackers, on the other hand, adhere to the basic philosophy that information should be free -- including information about security weaknesses.

The New York Times

(Neoliberals adhere to the basic tenets of liberalism but believe that business is often overregulated and welfare is underregulated and sometimes out of control).

The New York Times

A New York State appellate court is absolutely correct in upholding the city's restrictions on homeless shelters, thereby expecting those who stay in them to adhere to the basic laws and codes of conduct that all citizens have to follow (news article, June 11).

The New York Times

Yet, while it copes admirably with straightforward news articles that adhere to the basic "five Ws" structure (who, what, when, where and why?), it can struggle when confronted with a longer feature or an opinion piece.Summly's approach is to break down an article into sentences, find key words and then look at their distribution and frequency to decide which words to summarise.

The Economist

Vamps in Buffy adhere to the basic practical models - viz, they can only be killed by decapitation or a wooden stake through the heart, they cannot survive daylight, they have to be invited into your house before they can come in, they are scalded by crucifixes or holy water, and they don't like garlic (this last aspect is played down in Buffy: no Americans like garlic).

The Guardian - Film

As a society, we adhere to the basic premise that, in the proper setting, children will learn what they are taught.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving advice or instructions, use "adhere to the basics" to remind your audience to focus on fundamental principles before attempting advanced techniques. This helps ensure a solid foundation for more complex tasks.

Common error

Avoid immediately jumping to advanced strategies without first "adhering to the basics". Neglecting fundamental steps often leads to inefficiencies and a lack of understanding in the long run.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adhere to the basics" functions as a directive, urging the listener or reader to follow fundamental rules or principles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to emphasize the importance of foundational steps.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adhere to the basics" is a phrase used to emphasize the importance of following fundamental rules or principles. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is valid in written English, serving as a directive to prioritize foundational steps. While the phrase is grammatically sound and understandable, it appears relatively infrequently in diverse sources, spanning from Wiki articles to News & Media reports. When writing, use "adhere to the basics" to underscore the necessity of mastering fundamental skills before moving on to more complex tasks, promoting a solid foundation for long-term success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stick to the fundamentals

Emphasizes core principles instead of simply 'basics'.

observe core principles

Replaces 'basics' with 'core principles' for a slightly more formal tone.

follow established guidelines

Highlights adherence to defined rules or procedures.

mind the fundamentals

An expression that stresses the action of caring about the fundamentals.

return to first principles

Highlights a more proactive and deliberate approach to foundational ideas.

maintain simplicity

Focuses on keeping things uncomplicated.

rely on the foundations

An expression that stresses trust in the foundations.

keep things basic

Focuses on maintaining a simple state or approach.

keep it simple

A more concise and informal way of saying the same thing.

don't overcomplicate it

Focuses on avoiding unnecessary complexity.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "adhere to the basics" in a sentence?

Use "adhere to the basics" when you want to emphasize the importance of foundational principles. For example, "To succeed in any endeavor, it is essential to "adhere to the basics" and build from there."

What's a more formal way to say "adhere to the basics"?

A more formal alternative to "adhere to the basics" could be "observe core principles" or "follow established guidelines", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to "adhere to the basics" before trying something new?

While innovation is crucial, "adhering to the basics" provides a solid foundation. Neglecting fundamental principles can lead to instability and hinder long-term progress.

What are some situations where "adhere to the basics" is particularly relevant?

"Adhere to the basics" is particularly relevant in fields like education, sports, and business, where mastering fundamental skills is crucial for advancement. It also applies to safety protocols and ethical guidelines.