at the basics of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the basics of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. Example: "Understanding the principles of physics is at the basics of scientific inquiry."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

So why do so many companies stink at the basics of customer interaction?

The New York Times

It wasn't just that I was extremely poor at the basics of the English language, I despised it.

The Guardian - Books

An exceedingly uninvolving story evolves with a stab at the basics of playwriting, like confrontation and dialogue, and with periodic flights into mysticism.

The New York Times

"If you look back at the basics of it," one Clinton Defense Department official recalls, "Wes's strongly held view was 'If we just threaten to bomb, he'll fold, I know this guy.

The New Yorker

Seriously, though, France deserve their win and their grand slam because they have been a better team than England throughout this Six Nations: more consistent, better at the basics of defence, lineout, scrum and winning the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

He's not great at the basics of daily life: directions confound him, because roadways aren't logical, and he's so absent-minded about sunglasses that he keeps a "reload station" with nine pairs on his hall table.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

At the federal level, attempts at teaching the basics of finance are scattershot at best.

Huffington Post

He does manage, through persistence and sheer good luck, to piece together at least the basics of the story.

The New York Times - Books

David Wright, the New York Mets' third baseman, said, "I try to understand taxes, or at least the basics of everything.

The New York Times

You have to know at least the basics of programming.

Science Magazine

You can't start making music until you know at least the basics of the software you are using.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For greater clarity, consider rephrasing to more precisely indicate what foundational aspect is being referenced, such as "basic principles" or "core concepts".

Common error

Avoid relying on the phrase "at the basics of", as it can sound awkward and is not grammatically standard. Instead, opt for stronger alternatives like "the basics of" or specify the type of basic element you're referring to, like "basic principles" or "basic concepts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the basics of" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to introduce a fundamental aspect or element. However, as noted by Ludwig, this specific construction is not grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at the basics of" appears across various contexts including News & Media, Science, and Wiki, it is considered grammatically incorrect. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the more appropriate alternatives include "the basics of", "fundamentals of", or rephrasing to be more specific such as "basic principles". When aiming to highlight fundamental aspects, it's advisable to avoid "at the basics of" and opt for grammatically sound and clearer expressions to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basics of

A shorter version, removing 'the', which is more common and grammatically sound.

fundamentals of

Highlights the essential skills, knowledge, or procedures necessary for understanding or performing something.

essentials of

Emphasizes the most important aspects or components that are crucial for a specific purpose or understanding.

basic principles of

Focuses on the underlying rules or guidelines governing a particular field or concept, emphasizing the theoretical foundation.

underlying principles of

Focuses on the fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the basis for a system of belief, behavior, or reasoning.

core concepts of

Directs attention to the central ideas or theories that form the basis of a subject or discipline.

foundation of

Indicates the fundamental layer or basis upon which something is built or developed.

key elements of

Draws attention to the critical components or factors that are vital for achieving a desired outcome or understanding a complex system.

rudiments of

Highlights the elementary or initial stages of learning or understanding something.

building blocks of

Emphasizes the fundamental components or elements that are combined to create something larger or more complex.

FAQs

Is "at the basics of" grammatically correct?

No, "at the basics of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "the basics of" or rephrase to use alternatives like "basic principles" or "fundamentals of".

What's a better way to say "at the basics of"?

Instead of "at the basics of", consider using alternatives such as "the basics of", ""fundamentals of"", or "core concepts of" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "the basics of" in a sentence?

You can use "the basics of" in a sentence like this: "Understanding the basics of accounting is crucial for managing a business."

Which is correct, "at the basics of" or "the basics of"?

"The basics of" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "At the basics of" is not considered standard English.