basically all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically all" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true in a general sense, without going into specific details. Example: "Basically all of the participants agreed on the main points of the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— basically all N.G.O.s".

The New Yorker

That's basically all there is".

The New Yorker

Now it's basically all tennis".

The New York Times - Sports

That's basically all I do.

The New York Times

Shah thought Omar was basically all right.

The Economist

Basically all companies are potential takeover targets.

The Guardian - Business

But Wahhabis are basically all Salafis.

The New York Times

Basically, all brewing life is here.

The Guardian - Travel

Aren't marble sculptures basically all white?

Princeton University

Those basically all reversed as yellow.

Princeton University

That's basically all they had to do.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "basically all" to express a generalization without needing to specify every exception. For example, "Basically all students found the lecture helpful" suggests widespread approval.

Common error

While "basically all" is widely understood, avoid overuse in highly formal writing where more precise language would be preferred. Instead, consider "almost all" or "virtually all" for increased formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically all" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun phrase to indicate that almost every member of a group is being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage and acceptability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "basically all" is a versatile quantifier used to express near-completeness or generality. Ludwig's analysis reveals that while grammatically correct and widely used, its suitability depends on the context, with more formal options often preferable in academic or business settings. Its frequency in news and media underscores its role in conveying general trends or characteristics efficiently. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost all

Emphasizes the small exception to the entirety.

virtually all

Highlights the insignificance of any potential exceptions.

practically all

Stresses the functional equivalence to totality.

essentially all

Focuses on the core or fundamental aspect being nearly complete.

largely all

Indicates a significant portion nearing completeness.

mostly all

Suggests the majority is covered, with some minor exclusions.

predominantly all

Implies that what is included outweighs what is excluded.

chiefly all

Points out the main component is all-encompassing.

generally all

Highlights the common situation is nearly complete.

mainly all

Focuses on what is most important being entirely covered.

FAQs

What does "basically all" mean?

The phrase "basically all" indicates that something is true or applicable in almost every instance, with few or no exceptions. It conveys a sense of near-completeness.

How can I use "basically all" in a sentence?

You can use "basically all" to make a generalization. For instance, "Basically all the shops are estate agents and restaurants" suggests most shops fit this description.

What are some alternatives to "basically all"?

Consider using alternatives like "almost all", "virtually all", or "essentially all", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "basically all" in formal writing?

While understandable, "basically all" might be too informal for academic or business writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "nearly all" or "the majority of" in such contexts.