are basic to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are basic to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is fundamental or essential to another concept or idea. Example: "These principles are basic to our understanding of human behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Three claims are basic to the official rationale.

The New Yorker

Effective compositions of shapes and tones are basic to the Horst impact.

The New York Times

Abundant sand and clay distributions are basic to glass, tile, and brick production.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As such, they are basic to maintaining the "balance of nature" within those systems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Farming, stock raising, oil production, and small diversified industries are basic to the economy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Poultry processing, cotton, paper, lumber, soybeans, and cattle are basic to its economy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We have a right to know the answers to such questions, which are basic to the teachings of Mormonism.

The New Yorker

Such conversations are basic to the practice of architecture, but there are plenty of well-known architects with whom it would be impossible to hold one.

The Guardian - Arts

Privacy -- and individualism -- are basic to our democratic, capitalistic system, where nonintervention in motherhood is the personal analog to nonintervention in the marketplace.

The New York Times

Specialty ceramics in cellular equipment are fashioned into resonators, filters and other components that store, transfer and sort the microwave signals that are basic to wireless communications.

The New York Times - Tech

These Bush judges are not merely legal conservatives — they have been on a hard-driving campaign to weaken or undo protections that are basic to the American system of justice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are basic to", ensure that the connection between the elements is clear and direct. Avoid vague language; specify exactly how one element is fundamental to another.

Common error

Avoid using "are basic to" when the relationship is self-evident. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound redundant and less impactful. Consider if a simpler, more direct statement would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are basic to" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject to its foundational elements or prerequisites. Ludwig shows it indicating that certain concepts, principles, or components are fundamental or essential for a particular outcome, system, or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are basic to" serves as a crucial connector, highlighting the foundational or essential nature of certain elements. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "are essential to" or "are fundamental to" offer nuanced substitutions, the key lies in ensuring clarity and directness when establishing these fundamental relationships. Avoid redundancy by using the phrase only when the connection isn't self-evident, thus maximizing its impact and avoiding overstatement. The phrase is commonly used, as shown by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are elemental to

This alternative emphasizes the foundational or root nature of something, similar to "are basic to" but with a slightly stronger connotation of being a primary element.

are primary to

This alternative highlights the importance and ranking of something, suggesting it comes first in order of significance, much like "are basic to".

are elementary to

This alternative focuses on the initial or fundamental aspects of something, akin to "are basic to", but often implies simplicity or ease of understanding.

are foundational to

This phrase stresses the role of something in establishing a base or structure, comparable to "are basic to", but with a focus on building upon it.

are essential to

This alternative emphasizes the necessity of something, highlighting that it is indispensable or crucial, similar to "are basic to" in conveying importance.

are fundamentally important to

This longer alternative reinforces the idea of crucial importance at a base level; it is a more verbose version of the original.

are integral to

This alternative highlights the idea that something forms a necessary part of a complete whole

are indispensable to

This alternative reinforces the idea that something can't be done without.

constitute the groundwork for

This alternative emphasizes the role of something in setting the stage for further development.

form the cornerstone of

This alternative emphasizes the indispensable and fundamental nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "are basic to" in a sentence?

Use "are basic to" to indicate that certain concepts, skills, or resources are fundamental or essential for something else. For example, "Strong reading skills are basic to academic success."

What phrases are similar to "are basic to"?

You can use alternatives like "are essential to", "are fundamental to", or "are foundational to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "are basic to" or "are essential to"?

While both phrases convey importance, "are essential to" often implies a necessity that cannot be done without, whereas "are basic to" suggests a foundational or underlying element. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "are basic to" and "are important for"?

"Are basic to" suggests a fundamental, underlying role, while "are important for" simply indicates something is significant or helpful. The former implies a more crucial and integral connection.