basically like

USAGE SUMMARY

"basically like" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe similarities between two things. For example: "He's basically like a brother to me - I can always count on him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It's basically like sports.

The New York Times

"Basically like a train coming through, it just hits them.

Independent

"They're basically like beauty queens at a beauty pageant".

The New Yorker

Schieffer is basically like, "LOOK AT YOU.

Huffington Post

The cells are basically like houses.

Vice

My muscles were basically like, "No.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"People basically liked it," Mr. Siewers said.

The New York Times

"He basically likes to play with language," Robert Storr added.

The New Yorker

Students basically liked the device and found it easy to carry and use.

The New York Times

I had an aunt who was handicapped and on Medicare, and I basically liked her.

The New Yorker

They understand that people are basically like-minded everywhere.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "basically like" to draw simple comparisons for easier understanding. It's particularly effective when explaining complex topics to a general audience.

Common error

Avoid using "basically like" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically like" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing a comparison or analogy. It serves to simplify complex concepts by relating them to something more familiar. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basically like" is a common prepositional phrase used to draw simple comparisons and analogies. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, while also pointing to its informal nature. It is frequently found in news and media sources to simplify explanations for a general audience. While effective for quick understanding, its use in formal or academic writing should be approached with caution. For those contexts, more sophisticated alternatives such as "essentially similar to" or "comparable to" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially similar to

Emphasizes the core, fundamental similarity.

virtually the same as

Highlights a near-identical resemblance.

almost identical to

Indicates a very high degree of similarity with minor differences.

largely analogous to

Suggests a parallel or comparable relationship in many respects.

comparable to

Directly states the similarity, suitable for formal contexts.

akin to

Implies a resemblance in quality or character.

reminiscent of

Evokes a memory or feeling of something similar.

not unlike

Uses a double negative to subtly suggest a similarity.

roughly equivalent to

Indicates an approximate level of equivalence.

tantamount to

Highlights that two things are essentially equal in effect or value.

FAQs

What does "basically like" mean?

The phrase "basically like" is used to express that something is similar or comparable to something else. It's a way to simplify comparisons, implying that the two things share key characteristics.

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

You can use "basically like" to make an analogy or comparison. For example: "This new software is basically like having a personal assistant."

What can I say instead of "basically like"?

You can use alternatives like "essentially similar to", "virtually the same as", or "comparable to" depending on the context.

Is "basically like" appropriate for formal writing?

While "basically like" is common in everyday speech and informal writing, it's generally not recommended for formal or academic contexts. More precise and formal alternatives may be more suitable.