basically in line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically in line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is generally consistent or aligned with a particular standard or expectation. Example: "The project's goals are basically in line with our company's mission statement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

But equity investors need to keep in mind that single-digit performance is basically in line with long-term historical norms.

The New York Times

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, whose observers monitored the election, said it was "basically in line with O.S.C.E.

The New York Times

"It sounds like that was basically in line with his original decision," said Jim Nickles, a spokesman for the Fish and Wildlife Service.

The New York Times

It is unlikely to be too perturbed, as Obama's comment appears to be basically in line with the public mood about West's outburst.

The Guardian

It's simply astonishing that baseball players will get four chances to fail drug tests before they're suspended for a year, and what's more, this is basically in line with the rules for other professional sports.

The New York Times

The C.F.T.C. has been making progress with proposals that are about as tough as possible given relentless push-back from Wall Street and international officials, but the S.E.C. has proposed unacceptably weak rules that are basically in line with what banks and European officials have been demanding.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The results were basically in-line with Wall Street's forecast.

Forbes

"The minute he gets the nomination, they will basically fall in line behind him," said Christopher Ruddy, chief executive of Newsmax, the conservative magazine and Web site.

The New York Times

The justification for more complex interventions to improve primary care depression treatment is replicated in the analysis of included studies and basically goes in line with a previous review [ 21], however, we did find more evidence in newer studies that support guideline implementation to be effective in symptom reduction.

BMC Health Services Research

Among the creditors are I.R.S. offices in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Fla ."In these cases basically we just get in line with other creditors," said Mike Dobzinski, a spokesman for the I.R.S.

The New York Times - Sports

"When you take out inflation," he says, "basically grocery is growing in line with population".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "basically in line", ensure that the context clearly defines what the subject is aligning with to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The new policy is basically in line with industry standards" provides a clearer understanding than simply stating "The new policy is basically in line".

Common error

Avoid using "basically in line" as a vague qualifier. Always specify the standard, expectation, or benchmark against which something is aligned. Instead of saying "The results are basically in line", specify "The results are basically in line with previous research findings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically in line" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, indicating the degree to which something aligns with a specific standard or expectation. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely accepted and used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basically in line" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a general agreement or consistency between two or more things. As Ludwig AI underlines, it’s grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While a useful expression, ensure to specify the point of comparison for clarity and consider alternatives like "largely consistent with" or "generally aligned with" to fine-tune your message. Remember that while it suggests alignment, it doesn't imply exactness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistent with

Implies a lack of contradiction or variation, showing a stable relationship.

largely consistent with

Emphasizes a high degree of agreement but allows for minor differences.

generally aligned with

Indicates a common direction or orientation, rather than a precise match.

mostly in agreement with

Highlights the aspect of agreement, suggesting some points of divergence may exist.

roughly comparable to

Suggests a similarity in scale or nature, without implying exact equivalence.

in accordance with

Indicates compliance or conformity to a standard or rule.

in conformity with

Focuses on adhering to specific regulations or established patterns.

on par with

Suggests being at the same level or standard as something else.

akin to

Implies a resemblance or similarity in nature or quality.

similar to

Indicates a general likeness without specifying the degree of similarity.

FAQs

What does "basically in line" mean?

The phrase "basically in line" means that something is generally consistent or aligned with a particular standard, expectation, or viewpoint. It suggests a broad agreement but allows for minor variations or discrepancies.

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

You can use "basically in line" to indicate that something is similar to or in agreement with something else. For example, "The company's profits are basically in line with last year's earnings."

What are some alternatives to "basically in line"?

Alternatives to "basically in line" include "largely consistent with", "generally aligned with", or "consistent with", depending on the desired nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "basically in line"?

It's appropriate to use "basically in line" when you want to convey that something is mostly in agreement or alignment with something else, but not necessarily identical. It's useful when describing trends, expectations, or standards.