basically always

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically always" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true in most situations or circumstances, with a slight emphasis on the generality of the statement. Example: "She is basically always on time for meetings, which is something I really appreciate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Basically, always, because it's true.

Independent

"I basically always try to show up around Madiba's birthday," Clinton said.

The New Yorker

"Most of us are operating at suboptimal levels basically always," the Harvard neurologist and sleep medicine physician Josna Adusumilli told me.

The New Yorker

Smart planners push to set density limits as high as local residents will tolerate, which is basically always below the optimal level.

The Economist

I think I've grew up with this very idealistic version of the world, basically always picking and choosing what I wanted to see and hear.

Yale University

I'm basically always looking for something that makes this real, so that it's not just: the document, the debate, the Constitution.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Basically, we always want to do something different from what we just did.

The New York Times - Arts

"He was a good skipper," his father told Sports Illustrated in 1970, "but basically, he always wanted to know why the boat was going fast or slow and what he could do to make her go faster.

The New York Times - Sports

Basically, I always think 'what is important?' The passport, money, racquets and shoes.

BBC

"The focus [of the UN] was on her feminist background, being the first female superhero in a world of male superheroes and that basically she always fought for fairness, justice and peace," UN official Maher Nasser told NPR.

BBC

Basically I always needed a role beyond socialising.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "basically always", consider if a more precise quantifier would improve clarity. If the situation genuinely allows for no exceptions, "always" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "basically always" in contexts where exceptions are common or significant. Overstating the consistency can weaken your argument or create misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically always" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the frequency of an action or state. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates a high probability, though not absolute certainty, making it suitable for expressing general tendencies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

29%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basically always" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a very high probability or frequency, but not absolute certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's particularly prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Academia and maintains a neutral tone, suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "basically always", it's important to consider whether a more precise quantifier is needed and to avoid overstating the absoluteness of a situation. Alternatives like "almost invariably" and "virtually always" offer similar nuances, allowing for greater precision in expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly always

A straightforward substitution, retaining the core meaning with a slight shift in emphasis.

almost invariably

Replaces "basically" with "almost" and "always" with "invariably", suggesting a slightly stronger degree of consistency.

virtually always

Uses "virtually" instead of "basically", implying that something is true in almost every case.

practically always

Uses "practically" in place of "basically", suggesting that something is true in a practical sense.

almost constantly

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the action or state, replacing "always" with "constantly".

almost without exception

Highlights the rarity of exceptions, indicating a very high degree of consistency.

in almost every instance

Rephrases the idea to focus on individual instances, offering a more formal alternative.

routinely

Conveys that something happens as a matter of course, a regular occurrence.

ordinarily

Suggests a normal or typical occurrence, which is similar but slightly weaker in intensity.

typically

Implies that something is representative or characteristic, less absolute than "always".

FAQs

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

You can use "basically always" to indicate something is true in most situations. For instance, "The library is "basically always" quiet during the morning."

What phrases are similar to "basically always"?

Alternatives include "almost invariably", "virtually always", or "nearly always", offering similar shades of meaning depending on the context.

Is it better to use "basically always" or simply "always"?

"Basically always" implies a very high frequency with rare exceptions, while "always" suggests no exceptions. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation you're describing.

In what contexts is "basically always" most appropriate?

This phrase works well in informal and semi-formal contexts, such as news articles, academic papers, or casual conversations, where absolute precision isn't critical but conveying a strong tendency is important.