because basically

USAGE SUMMARY

You can use the phrase "because basically" in written English.
This phrase is useful for emphasizing the main, or most important, point in a sentence. For example, you could say: "I decided to move to a different city, because basically I wanted to have a fresh start."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He has not done anything because, basically, he's a very ethical man.

The New York Times

People would wait for Mr. Lunden, 37, because, basically, no event could start without him.

The New York Times

Underwolf and Underwood covet similar things for similar reasons: each wants to live in a big house, well, just because, basically.

The New Yorker

The interplay of magic and technology works smoothly because, basically, sorcery is often just an incendiary weapon that does expansive damage – sort of a supernatural airstrike.

The Guardian - Tech

You could practically breathe the stuff, but you wouldn't want to because, basically it's glass.

TechCrunch

"Because basically, every week we're picking a fight".

The New York Times - Sports

"Because basically, whenever I've had meetings and invited them along, they've refused to come".

Independent

We have made some change in the electricity sector because basically it wasn't working terribly well.

The Economist

I don't like Republicans, because basically Republicans are not what I like".

The New Yorker

Because basically what that means is that it deprives you of future spending opportunities.

The New York Times - Sports

Because basically to have sex education in a curriculum costs something like $15-2015-20child.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "because basically" is commonly used, consider your audience. In highly formal writing, opt for a more sophisticated causal connector like "due to the fact that" or "inasmuch as".

Common error

Avoid using "because basically" repeatedly in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less professional. Vary your sentence structure and use other causal connectors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "because basically" functions as a causal connector, introducing the primary reason or explanation for a statement. Ludwig provides examples that show its usage across various contexts, emphasizing its role in providing a fundamental justification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "because basically" serves as a common and acceptable causal connector, frequently used in news and media to introduce a primary reason or explanation. While grammatically correct and widely understood, Ludwig indicates that its usage leans towards a neutral register, making it less suitable for highly formal contexts. Consider alternative phrases like "since fundamentally" or "as essentially" for more formal writing. While the phrase is useful for emphasizing the main point, avoid overuse to maintain writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as essentially

Substitutes "because" with "as" and "basically" with "essentially", offering a slightly more succinct expression of causality.

since fundamentally

Replaces "because" with "since" and "basically" with "fundamentally", resulting in a more formal tone.

considering essentially

Replaces "because" with "considering" and "basically" with "essentially", this replacement results in a more reasoned and deliberate explanation.

given that primarily

Replaces "because" with "given that" and "basically" with "primarily", leading to a more formal and emphatic causal statement.

since in essence

A less common alternative, where "since" introduces the reason and "in essence" replaces "basically".

seeing as fundamentally

Replaces "because" with "seeing as" and "basically" with "fundamentally", this is a slightly more formal tone.

the reason being fundamentally

This emphasizes the explanation and uses a more formal synonym for "basically".

inasmuch as primarily

A more formal replacement for "because basically" to express causality with emphasis.

on account of primarily

Swaps "because" for "on account of" and "basically" for "primarily", creating a more detached and objective statement of cause.

due to the fact that fundamentally

Replaces "because" with "due to the fact that" and "basically" with "fundamentally", this is a more formal tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "because basically" to introduce the primary reason for something. For example, "I chose this option, /s/because+basically because it was the most straightforward solution".

What are some alternatives to "because basically"?

Alternatives include phrases like "/s/since+fundamentally", "/s/as+essentially", or "/s/given+that+primarily", which offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis.

Is it acceptable to start a sentence with "because basically"?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "because basically" might sound informal. It is generally better to integrate it within the sentence for smoother flow.

What's the difference between "because basically" and "because fundamentally"?

"Because basically" is more casual, emphasizing the essential reason, while "because fundamentally" stresses the foundational or core reason. The phrase "/s/because+fundamentally" is therefore, more formal than "because basically".