at its most basic are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its most basic are" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the fundamental or simplest aspects of a concept or idea. Example: "At its most basic, the principles of physics are about understanding the forces that govern motion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At its most basic are the proliferation of apps that enable us to do everything from upping the seasonality of our diets to sharing leftover meals with our neighbours.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's all part of this well-oiled machine, which, at its most basic, is there to facilitate a demand for phone sex chat.

Vice

Chili at its most basic is a stew of protein and chiles.

The New York Times - Food

"Honey at its most basic is concentrated sugar, but even that can do nasty things to bugs, sucking the water out of them," says Baillie.

The Guardian

SCOTT DEVEAUX Musicologist and author of "The Birth of Be-Bop: A Social and Musical History" History, at its most basic, is storytelling.

The New York Times - Arts

a_wall A. A_wall, metadata, at its most basic, is information about the what, who, when, how, why and where regarding any given object, idea or event.

The New York Times

The difference, at its most basic, is as follows: An open fund will allow anyone to invest in it at any time.

Science Magazine

Groupon Rewards, at its most basic, is just two Groupons mashed together.

Huffington Post

A pivot point, at its most basic, is the center of any rotational system.

Huffington Post

The Pollination Project, at its most basic, is my promise to give $1,000 a day away, every day, for the rest of my life.

Huffington Post

The most recent one is called Book of Numbers and at its most basic is a corporate history of a surrogate Google called Tetration.com as told between the company's founding programmer, named Joshua Cohen, and a washed-up Brooklyn novelist hired as his ghostwriter, also named Joshua Cohen.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at its most basic are" when you want to convey the most fundamental aspects or components of a concept, system, or idea. This helps simplify complex topics for easier understanding.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex language when introducing a concept with "at its most basic are". The purpose is to simplify, not to confuse with jargon or intricate details that belong in a more advanced explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its most basic are" functions as an introductory phrase used to present the fundamental or essential aspects of a topic. It sets the stage for a simplified explanation, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at its most basic are" serves to introduce the most fundamental aspects of a topic, aiming for simplification and clarity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct, but based on the available data, it's a rarely used. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, media, science, and formal business settings. While grammatically sound and understandable, writers should ensure its use aligns with the desired level of formality and clarity in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in its simplest form are

Focuses on simplicity rather than a base level.

at its core are

Emphasizes the central or most important part.

fundamentally are

Highlights the basic principles involved.

essentially are

Stresses the key elements or nature of something.

primarily are

Indicates the main components or aspects.

basically consist of

Shifts focus to the composition of something at a basic level.

at the heart of it are

Highlights the central and most crucial components.

in essence are

Highlights the fundamental nature or quality of something.

at a foundational level are

Emphasizes the underlying groundwork or structure.

at the elementary level are

Highlights the basic, uncomplicated aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "at its most basic are" in a sentence?

Use "at its most basic are" to introduce the fundamental components or simplest understanding of a complex concept. For example, "At its most basic are the principles of supply and demand."

What can I say instead of "at its most basic are"?

You can use alternatives like "in its simplest form are", "at its core are", or "fundamentally are" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "at its most basic is" instead of "at its most basic are"?

The choice between "is" and "are" depends on whether the subject following the phrase is singular or plural. "At its most basic is" is used for a singular subject, while "at its most basic are" is used for plural subjects.

What's the difference between "at its most basic are" and "essentially are"?

"At its most basic are" emphasizes the fundamental components, while "essentially are" highlights the key elements that define something. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on components or defining characteristics.