basic instinct is to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic instinct is to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a fundamental or natural tendency of a person or animal in various contexts, often relating to behavior or reactions. Example: "In times of danger, the basic instinct is to flee or fight for survival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Tonawanda knows first-hand that a boxer's basic instinct is to fight, no matter the circumstance.

The New York Times - Sports

"The key players today in the derivatives market are very apprehensive about whether or not they will be winners or losers as we move towards more transparent, fairer markets, and since they're not sure if they'll be winners or losers, their basic instinct is to resist change".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous sermon on the "drum major instinct," where he discusses the global human desire for attention and adoration, he says that the hunger for recognition is a basic instinct that we all posses.

Huffington Post

One suspects that sort of conviction — or reduction to basic instinct — is a hard-won and attractive skill.

The Guardian - Music

The jazz musician's instinct is to bolster such basic chords with sexed-up harmonic alternatives.

The Guardian - Music

Despite her success – 2010's Basic Instinct is the only one of her albums not to reach the US top five – she has never become a household name in the manner of Rihanna or Beyoncé.

The Guardian - Music

Another milestone victory of rational thought over basic instinct is the 1937 Vienna Secession Building, where primal urges to burn down the strict Austrian art establishment were sublimated into an elegantly proportioned building by Jugendstil ("Young Style") upstart Josef Maria Olbrich.

BBC

Evolutionary psychology's answer is straightforward: Religions have lasted for millenniums because humans' most basic instinct is for security, and God promises security.

The New York Times

Every basic instinct is met with punishment.

Huffington Post

When the sequel to Basic Instinct was made, Sharon Stone (a major star because of the original) was no longer inclined to advertise her knicker-free state to the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Basic Instinct" was a crackling good story, and on top of that, everybody heard you could see Sharon Stone's ya-ya.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "basic instinct is to" when describing fundamental, often unconscious, drives or reactions, particularly in situations involving survival, competition, or deeply ingrained behaviors. Consider alternatives when a more nuanced description of motivation or tendency is required.

Common error

Avoid using "basic instinct is to" when describing actions that stem from complex reasoning or learned behavior. This phrase best suits innate, almost reflexive responses rather than deliberate choices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic instinct is to" functions as a linking phrase that connects a fundamental drive or impulse to a subsequent action or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and describes natural tendencies.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "basic instinct is to" is used to describe a fundamental or inherent drive leading to a particular action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound, but its usage is relatively rare, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. While semantically valid, writers should consider alternatives like "natural inclination" or "inherent tendency" to provide nuanced descriptions. Overuse of this phrase in scenarios requiring intricate reasoning should also be avoided. It's most appropriate for describing those innate, unconscious reactions. The frequency of the phrase is low, as there are few examples that are found in common usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental impulse is to

Changes "instinct" to "impulse", focusing on the immediate drive rather than an ingrained behavior.

first impulse is to

Similar to 'fundamental impulse', highlights the initial urge.

primary motivation is to

Shifts from instinct to motivation, highlighting the driving force behind an action.

natural inclination is to

Replaces "instinct" with "inclination", suggesting a tendency rather than a deeply ingrained behavior.

inherent tendency is to

Uses "tendency" instead of "instinct", emphasizing a predisposition or likelihood.

gut reaction is to

Emphasizes the intuitive and emotional aspect of the response.

initial reaction is to

Focuses on the immediate response, replacing "instinct" with "reaction".

automatic response is to

Stresses the unconscious and involuntary nature of the reaction.

default behavior is to

Highlights the pre-programmed nature of the action.

typical response is to

Focuses on common or expected reactions.

FAQs

How can I use "basic instinct is to" in a sentence?

Use "basic instinct is to" to describe innate, often unconscious behaviors or reactions. For example, "In dangerous situations, the "basic instinct is to" seek safety."

What are some alternatives to "basic instinct is to"?

You can use alternatives such as "natural inclination is to", "inherent tendency is to", or "primary motivation is to" depending on the nuance you want to convey. See other semantically similar options in the "related phrases" section.

Is it always appropriate to use "basic instinct is to" when describing human behavior?

No, it's most appropriate for describing fundamental, often unconscious reactions. For actions involving complex reasoning, consider using terms that reflect deliberation or learned behavior instead.

What's the difference between "basic instinct is to" and "natural inclination is to"?

"Basic instinct is to" suggests a deeply ingrained, often unconscious drive, while "natural inclination is to" implies a tendency or predisposition that may be influenced by environment or learning.