basically incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is fundamentally wrong or flawed, often in a simplified manner. Example: "While the theory has some merit, it is basically incorrect in its assumptions about human behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Only by studying how perceptions are formed in the mind and focusing your marketing programs on those perceptions can you overcome your basically incorrect marketing instincts.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This purpose and these principles emphasized the immanence of God, the divine nature of man, the immediate availability of God's power to man, the spiritual character of the universe, and the fact that sin, human disorders, and human disease are basically matters of incorrect thinking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's basically the show Politically Incorrect would be today if Bill Maher hadn't made those flip remarks about terrorists being brave back in September 2001.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They are using it because Stoli is available everywhere, and by identifying it as Russian, it gives people everywhere the chance to make a statement, and it's basically a convenient if incorrect target.

Huffington Post

It means he can write plays like The God Botherers, which, he admits, started out as "basically a piece of politically incorrect stand-up: a rant in which I got all the spleen out of my system".

The Guardian

He basically told me that I was incorrect".

The New York Times

To make it seem as if dabs are some new dangerous drug is outright incorrect since it's basically just an evolved version of hash oil.

Vice

Basically, when a road closes, or something is incorrect, there are tools via Map Maker that let them report it.

TechCrunch

In Medieval times, markets were hampered by the "just price" doctrine, which basically held that, in any transaction, there was a morally correct price and other prices that were morally incorrect.

Forbes

In fact, the report is incorrect in many of its assumptions, and as a guide to developing gun violence prevention (GVP) messaging, it's basically a useless document that should be discounted or ignored.

Huffington Post

Politically incorrect?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "basically incorrect" to convey that the core or foundation of something is wrong, even if some elements might be partially accurate. It's best used when simplifying a complex issue for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "basically incorrect" too frequently in your writing, as the word 'basically' can become a filler word, weakening your message. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "fundamentally flawed" or "inherently wrong".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically incorrect" functions as an adjective phrase, where 'basically' modifies the adjective 'incorrect'. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "basically incorrect" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to convey that something is fundamentally wrong while possibly acknowledging some level of partial correctness. While not overly formal, it's appropriate for neutral contexts like news and general discussions. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, opting for stronger alternatives like "fundamentally flawed" in more formal settings or when emphasizing the severity of the error. Ludwig's analysis highlights the phrase's utility in simplifying complex issues by pinpointing the core inaccuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamentally flawed

Emphasizes a deep, inherent problem or mistake.

essentially inaccurate

Highlights the lack of precision or truth in something.

largely erroneous

Indicates that most of the information is wrong.

mostly false

Simple and direct way of saying something is not true.

substantially wrong

Suggests a significant degree of error.

patently untrue

Emphasizes the obviousness of the falsehood.

decidedly mistaken

Highlights the error in judgment or understanding.

plainly incorrect

Highlights that the error is obvious and easy to detect.

somewhat misguided

Indicates a slight deviation from what is correct or appropriate.

slightly off

Suggests a minor or marginal error.

FAQs

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

You can use "basically incorrect" to describe something that has a fundamental error, such as: "The initial hypothesis was "basically incorrect", requiring a complete revision of the research methodology."

What are some alternatives to "basically incorrect"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "fundamentally flawed", "essentially inaccurate", or "largely erroneous".

When is it appropriate to use "basically incorrect" instead of "completely wrong"?

"Basically incorrect" implies that while the core idea is wrong, there might be some elements that are partially correct or understandable. "Completely wrong" suggests there is no valid aspect to the statement or idea.

Is "basically incorrect" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "basically incorrect" might be perceived as informal. For formal writing, consider stronger and more precise alternatives like "fundamentally flawed" or "inherently wrong" to maintain a more professional tone.