basically healthy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically healthy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is generally or fundamentally healthy, even if there are some minor issues or exceptions. Example: "While she occasionally indulges in junk food, her diet is basically healthy overall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The banks are basically healthy, but need help to regain their vigor.

The New York Times

In the first encounter, Mendieta had found that everyone was basically healthy.

The New Yorker

The newsletter says it appears to be safe "when used by basically healthy people on an occasional, short-term basis".

The New York Times - Food

"I'm basically healthy, but you won't be in 100 percent condition throughout the whole season," Kuroda said through his interpreter.

The New York Times - Sports

"We get to give a lot more money to charity, and whatever we have to do with -- the salads -- are basically healthy products," he said.

The New York Times - Food

But most economists believe that the economy remains basically healthy and that a slowdown is needed to avert a buildup of inflationary pressures.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Reporting here today at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union, members of the Mars Exploration Rover science team declared both machines basically healthy--although Spirit remains partially crippled by a right-front wheel drive motor that failed nine months ago.

Science Magazine

You're basically a healthy person".

The New Yorker

His voice is basically bright, healthy and appealing.

The New York Times - Arts

It's really an issue of refocusing our mission and our sense of purpose and making sure we look at things with basically a healthy skepticism".

The New York Times

Under this system, by the way, a few people — basically young, healthy individuals who don't already get insurance from their employers, and whose incomes are high enough that they won't benefit from subsidies — will end up paying more for insurance than they do now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person or system as "basically healthy", be prepared to acknowledge any specific minor issues or exceptions to that general state.

Common error

Avoid using "basically healthy" when the subject has significant health problems. "Basically healthy" implies that any health issues are minor and do not significantly impact overall well-being.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically healthy" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes a state of health that is generally good, even if not perfect. Ludwig provides examples showing its use to describe people, economies, and even abstract concepts like memories.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "basically healthy" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a state of general well-being, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is widely used in news, scientific, and business contexts. While it implies a positive condition, it also acknowledges the potential for minor imperfections or exceptions. When using "basically healthy", be mindful of overstating the degree of health and consider alternatives like "generally in good health" or "largely healthy" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally in good health

Emphasizes a common state of good health, altering the nuance slightly from 'basically'.

largely healthy

Indicates that health is predominantly good but doesn't exclude minor health issues.

mostly well

Focuses on the absence of major illness, shifting the emphasis from 'healthy' to 'well'.

on the whole healthy

Shifts the word order to emphasize the overall aspect.

fundamentally sound

Applies a general state of being correct and reliable, with emphasis on the positive aspect.

in relatively good shape

Highlights the comparative aspect, suggesting health is good relative to expectations or circumstances.

reasonably fit

Focuses on the physical fitness aspect of health, changing the scope of the phrase.

in decent condition

Shifts the focus to the overall state of being, broadening the context beyond just health.

primarily robust

Highlights strength and resilience, changing the specific descriptor.

generally robust

Highlights strength and resilience, while losing a bit of direct meaning

FAQs

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

You can use "basically healthy" to describe someone or something that is generally well, even if there are minor issues. For example, "The patient is "basically healthy", but needs to monitor their cholesterol levels."

What are some alternatives to "basically healthy"?

Some alternatives include "generally in good health", "largely healthy", or "mostly well". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "basically healthy"?

Yes, "basically healthy" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English. It means that someone or something is mostly healthy, even if there are some minor issues.

What's the difference between "basically healthy" and "completely healthy"?

"Basically healthy" implies that there might be minor health issues, whereas "completely healthy" suggests there are no health problems whatsoever. "Basically" indicates a general state, not a perfect one.