basically indispensable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically indispensable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is essential or necessary in a straightforward manner. Example: "In today's digital age, a reliable internet connection is basically indispensable for remote work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This paragraph seems to be an indispensable precondition, because it is followed by an another paragraph that basically suggests how to proportionally limit such retention.

Stanford University

Indispensable, then.

The Guardian

But he seems indispensable.

The Economist

It is indispensable.

The New York Times

Lopez now seems indispensable.

The New York Times - Sports

Indispensable, and overwhelming.

The New York Times

"She became indispensable".

The New York Times

It may be indispensable.

The New York Times

All are indispensable.

The New Yorker

He is now indispensable.

The Economist

Now he seems indispensable.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "basically indispensable" to convey that something is almost completely necessary, but with a slight reservation or qualification. It's useful when you want to soften the claim of absolute necessity.

Common error

Avoid using "basically indispensable" when you truly mean something is absolutely essential without exception. If there's no room for substitution or workaround, a stronger term like 'essential' or 'critical' is more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically indispensable" functions as an adjectival modifier, adding emphasis to the adjective "indispensable". It suggests that something is nearly essential, but not quite absolutely necessary. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "basically indispensable" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is nearly essential, but not absolutely required. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its use leans towards a neutral register, being slightly informal due to the adverb "basically". Although relatively rare, the phrase appears in news and academic contexts. If absolute necessity is intended, consider stronger alternatives. Otherwise, "basically indispensable" is a suitable way to convey near-essential status with a touch of flexibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near indispensable

A more direct and literal substitute, very close in meaning but slightly less emphatic.

essentially necessary

Emphasizes the fundamental need, highlighting that something is crucial and inherent.

virtually required

Indicates that something is almost a requirement, lacking only the force of a formal rule.

practically essential

Highlights the practical importance of something, suggesting it is vital in practice.

fundamentally key

Stresses that something is a basic and important element, crucial for success or function.

pretty much essential

Uses a more casual tone while maintaining the core meaning of necessity.

in effect obligatory

Suggests something is not formally compulsory, but the outcome is the same.

almost mandatory

Similar to 'virtually required', but slightly stronger, implying a high degree of expectation.

effectively vital

Focuses on the active and impactful importance of something, emphasizing its dynamic necessity.

largely critical

Indicates something is significantly important, with a strong impact on outcomes.

FAQs

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

You can use "basically indispensable" to describe something that is almost essential but not entirely so. For example, "In this role, strong communication skills are "basically indispensable" for collaborating with different teams".

What are some alternatives to "basically indispensable"?

Some alternatives include "essentially necessary", "practically essential", or "virtually required", depending on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "basically indispensable" formal or informal?

The phrase "basically indispensable" is relatively informal due to the use of "basically". For a more formal tone, consider using "essentially indispensable" or "fundamentally necessary".

Can "basically indispensable" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "basically indispensable" can describe abstract concepts as long as those concepts are near-essential. For example, "In a democracy, freedom of speech is "basically indispensable" for informed decision-making".