basic text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic text" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to fundamental or essential written material, often in the context of educational or instructional content. Example: "Before diving into the advanced topics, make sure you understand the basic text provided in the course materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

His basic text was change.

The Guardian

Basic text messaging on a second-generation cellphone.

The New York Times

"We cannot use Latin as a basic text," he said.

The New York Times

Instead of significantly changing the basic text, the new Haggadah adds to it.

The New York Times

Mr. Nelson also has an intriguing redesign of the basic text editor that merits more exposure.

The New York Times

The basic "text" for the course is at http://ccbit.cs.umass.edu/lizzie/.edu/lizzie/

The New York Times

This substantial work remains the basic text for the systematic identification of British and European genera.

The Guardian

Files in common formats like JPEG pictures, MP3 audio and basic text files should work fine.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The free Android app Dive Log offers a basic, text-based interface.

The New York Times - Tech

On the top of the left panel is a toolbar with basic text-editing buttons.

WikiHow

A basic text on Hatha Yoga is the Hatha-yoga-pradipika (c. 15th century; "Light on the Hatha Yoga").

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to file formats, use "basic text" to denote files that are universally readable across different operating systems and software.

Common error

Avoid using "basic text" when you mean "plain language". "Plain language" refers to writing that is clear and easy to understand, while "basic text" generally refers to the format or content of a file or document.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic text" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used to describe a simple, unformatted, or fundamental written material. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is very common, used across varied contexts from news media to scientific literature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "basic text" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe fundamental or unformatted written material. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently across a variety of sources, including news media, scientific publications, and wikis. While it is often interchangeable with terms like "plain text" or "essential text", it's important to use it accurately, particularly when distinguishing it from related concepts like "plain language". Its versatility makes it a useful term in various contexts, from discussing file formats to outlining educational materials.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plain text

Focuses on the simplicity and lack of formatting in the text.

essential text

Emphasizes the importance and necessity of the text.

fundamental text

Highlights the foundational nature of the text.

core text

Indicates that the text is central and indispensable.

underlying text

Refers to the text that forms the foundation for further analysis or development.

base text

Similar to basic, but can sometimes imply a more structured or technical foundation.

raw text

Describes text in its unprocessed or original form.

simple text

Emphasizes the ease of understanding or the lack of complexity.

unformatted text

Highlights the absence of stylistic elements.

rudimentary text

Suggests a very basic or initial level of text development.

FAQs

How can I use "basic text" in a sentence?

You might say, "The software can handle images and videos, but it primarily works with "plain text" formats" or "For simple notes, a "basic text editor" is often sufficient".

What's the difference between "basic text" and "plain text"?

"Basic text" refers more to the fundamental nature or lack of rich formatting in text, such as in a .txt file. "Plain text" typically emphasizes the absence of stylistic elements like bold or italics.

Are there alternatives to using the phrase "basic text"?

Yes, you could use terms like "essential text", "fundamental text", or "core text" depending on the specific context and meaning you want to convey.

In what contexts is "basic text" commonly used?

"Basic text" is frequently used in contexts related to computing, education, and publishing, where it describes the fundamental, unformatted, or essential written content. See how it's used in "news media" or "scientific articles".