basically

USAGE SUMMARY

The word basically is correct and usable in written English.
You can use basically to indicate that you are about to give a brief summary of something. For example: "Basically, the issue is that the company is not following proper safety protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Basically, it is the accrued value of all pensions that are not state basic retirement or state earning related The ONS then combine the above four categories to calculate household wealth.

The Guardian

Basically, it is good news that Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel have performed so strongly: excellent films in that "indie-literate" middle ground that many in the industry have been worrying had been neglected in the general rush to big-budget, big-box-office superhero pictures.

The Guardian - Film

I basically ended up looking at life through plate glass window.

The Guardian - Sport

Separately Vodafone is seeking revisions of auction rules - basically they are objecting to the reserve price being too high and that some of the spectrum being auctioned is already being used by them.

The Guardian - Business

Tucked away under ancient arches just by the bustling San Bartolomeo square, the Rosticceria is basically an old-fashioned self-service cafeteria, dishing up excellent and inexpensive comfort food - a "primo" for €6, followed by roast chicken, or "baccala mantecato", the traditional creamy salt cod.

The Guardian - Travel

"We basically took a view that they were so far gone and in a sense this was a very sobering statement of how much, below the surface, over the previous 10 years, the centre of gravity of Scottish public opinion had shifted in favour of the idea of independence," he says.

The Guardian

"I basically walk into her office and said, 'Hi.

The Guardian

They met up, talked it through and basically what was needed was that my mother had at least £40,000 in equity in her home to be able to act as a guarantor, and that I had to complete a full year at university.

The Guardian - Money

It's basically a photo-customisation app with various Sharknado filters and stickers to use.

The Guardian - Tech

It was a chore basically and I'm sure all teenagers are the same, she didn't want to do a chore.

The Guardian

It's basically the same thing, Boris wrote.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, try to limit the use of "basically" to once per paragraph to avoid diluting its impact. Overuse can make your writing sound less precise.

Common error

Avoid using "basically" simply as a filler word in speech or writing. This can make your communication sound less confident and less precise. Instead, focus on clearly articulating your main points without relying on unnecessary qualifiers.

How to use

Learn how to use "basically" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "basically" is as an adverb. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate that something is being stated in a simplified or fundamental manner. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basically" functions as an adverb used to simplify complex ideas and highlight core points, as verified by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media, offering a way to introduce summaries or key aspects. While extremely common, overusing "basically" can reduce the impact of your writing. Alternative phrases like "essentially" or "fundamentally" can be used to vary your language. The key takeaway is to use "basically" thoughtfully to enhance clarity without diminishing the precision of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially

Focuses on the fundamental nature of something, similar to "basically" but often more formal.

fundamentally

Emphasizes the core or foundational aspect, akin to "basically" in highlighting key elements.

in essence

Highlights the most important aspect, similar to "basically" but more concise.

in a nutshell

Offers a very brief summary, similar to using "basically" to introduce a concise explanation.

simply put

Indicates a simplified explanation, like using "basically" to clarify a complex topic.

at its core

Points to the central or most important part, much like "basically" directs attention to the key aspect.

in simple terms

Suggests a straightforward explanation, akin to using "basically" to make something easier to understand.

to put it simply

Introduces a simplified version of events, much like using "basically" to highlight the main point.

primarily

Emphasizes the main or most important element, similar to "basically" in focusing on core components.

largely

Indicates that something is mainly or mostly true, aligning with "basically" in emphasizing a dominant aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "basically" in a sentence?

"Basically" is used to introduce a summary or simplification of a more complex idea. For example, "Basically, the project is on schedule and within budget."

What are some alternatives to saying "basically"?

You can use alternatives like "essentially", "fundamentally", or "in essence" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "basically"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "basically". It's often used to introduce a summary or main point.

What is the difference between "essentially" and "basically"?

While both words are similar, "essentially" ("essentially") often implies a deeper, more inherent quality, while "basically" is more about providing a simplified explanation.