basically said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically said" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to summarize or paraphrase someone's statement in a simplified manner. Example: "In the meeting, she basically said that we need to improve our communication strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They basically said, "Aaarggh!

The Guardian

Ayana basically said: to hell with that.

The New Yorker

"He basically said, 'You want it?

The New York Times

"She basically said it was really bad".

The New York Times

"He basically said, 'Here are the facts.

The New York Times

We're fine without them, he basically said.

The New York Times

But they basically said, "We've got this".

The New Yorker

What he basically said was this.

The Guardian - Opinion

My chart basically said I was dead".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Zell “basically said, ‘You’re the publisher and CEO.

Forbes

"Paul basically said, 'Can you help me out here?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When quoting directly, follow "basically said" with a colon and enclose the summarized statement in quotation marks.

Common error

Avoid using "basically said" excessively in your writing, as it can make your summaries seem less precise. Strive for more specific and descriptive verbs to convey the nuances of the original statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically said" functions as a reporting verb phrase. It introduces a summary or paraphrase of someone's statement. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in conveying the general idea of what someone communicated, without necessarily quoting them verbatim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basically said" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a summarized or paraphrased statement. According to Ludwig, it's widely used in news and media, although can be used in formal and scientific contexts. While versatile, it’s crucial to ensure its appropriateness in formal writing by considering more precise alternatives if needed. Its communicative purpose lies in conveying the main idea efficiently. When using "basically said", remember to use it to summarize or paraphrase a statement, not a complete analysis, and to choose more sophisticated verbs for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essentially stated

Focuses on the core message conveyed.

in essence remarked

Highlights the summarized nature of the statement.

to put it simply, mentioned

Emphasizes the simplification of the original statement.

in other words, conveyed

Indicates a restatement for clarity.

summarized by saying

Highlights that the statement is a summary.

the gist of it was

Focuses on the main point of the communication.

paraphrased as

Indicates a rephrasing of the original words.

reduced to saying

Suggests a simplification or reduction in complexity.

the main point articulated

Highlights the principal point that was verbally express

in a nutshell, explained

Emphasizes the conciseness of the explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "basically said" to introduce a simplified version of someone's statement. For example, "The manager "basically said" that we need to improve our sales figures."

What are some alternatives to "basically said"?

You can use alternatives such as "essentially stated", "in essence remarked", or "summarized by saying depending on the context".

Is it okay to use "basically said" in formal writing?

While "basically said" is generally acceptable, it might be more appropriate to use more formal alternatives like "essentially stated" or "articulated" in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "basically said" and "literally said"?

"Basically said" implies a summary or simplification, while "literally said" indicates a direct quote. Use "literally said" when you are reporting the exact words someone used.