but basically because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but basically because" is not standard in written English and may be considered informal or awkward.
It can be used in conversational contexts where the speaker is trying to simplify or summarize a point, but it may not be appropriate for formal writing. Example: "I didn't go to the party, but basically because I was too tired to socialize."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"We're here for many reasons but basically because we're fed up.

The Guardian

Fortunately, a vast and well-organized infrastructure of volunteers was already in place: people who, for years, happened to have been honing some of the very skills that the survival of these imperiled animals suddenly hinged on — not because they saw such a crisis coming, but basically because they really loved turtles.

The New York Times - Magazine

When I told a friend who is familiar with the scene in Anaheim that I was going to write about this, he used the term, "Ramadanian tents". I hadn't heard that term before, but basically, because restaurants are busier than usual, the owners set up tents to provide extra seating.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We thought about a lot of things, but basically nothing happened, because there was no payback to cover the initial costs," said Susan Tolchin, an adviser to the county executive, Andrew J. Spano.

The New York Times

Emphatically yes, and they will use Bitcoin's affordances, for example money-laundering, to justify their hostility, but basically it's just because they can't stand the idea of a currency that can't be debased to political order.

The Guardian - Tech

Anyone distraught about being told to give up porterhouse steaks or grandma's butter cookies may take solace in a study published 14 years ago but basically ignored since, partly because it questioned the conventional wisdom about the benefits of a low-fat diet.

The New York Times - Health

Neutrinos are everywhere but basically impossible to see because they lack an electrical charge.

Vice

He added: "I fully concede it wasn't my most blistering performance, but that was basically because I was set to talk about the Olympics and housing in London and he wanted to talk about other things, some of them – my private life and so on – of quite some antiquity, the details of which I wasn't brilliant on".

Independent

Either way, it has created huge interest in tonight's fight in Germany, as Francis Lee writes... "I was surprised to see that this fight is being shown live on the German equivalent of BBC1 - but that's basically because of the Klitschko context and that the two are (since they became champions) considered adopted Germans due to their Hamburg HQ".

The Guardian - Sport

"I fully concede it wasn't my most blistering performance, but that was basically because I was set to talk about the Olympics and housing in London and he wanted to talk about other things, some of them – my private life and so on – of quite some antiquity, the details of which I wasn't brilliant on," Johnson said.

The Guardian

"I fully concede it wasn't my most blistering performance, but that was basically because I was set to talk about the Olympics and housing in London and he wanted to talk about other things, some of them - my private life and so on - of quite some antiquity, the details of which I wasn't brilliant on.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider replacing "but basically because" with more concise alternatives such as "mainly because" or "primarily due to" to improve clarity and maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "but basically because" in contexts where either "but" or "basically because" alone sufficiently conveys the intended meaning. Redundancy can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but basically because" functions as a causal connector, linking a contrasting element introduced by "but" with a simplified explanation or primary reason. Ludwig examples show its use in providing a fundamental cause after acknowledging other factors.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but basically because" is an informal causal connector used to provide a simplified, primary reason after a contrasting statement. Ludwig AI indicates that while acceptable, it can be seen as somewhat redundant and less suitable for formal writing. Alternatives like "mainly because" or "primarily due to" offer greater conciseness and clarity. Its usage is most common in news and media contexts. Therefore, when writing professionally, consider more formal alternatives to enhance the overall quality of your text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but fundamentally because

Replaces "basically" with "fundamentally", emphasizing the core reason.

but essentially because

Substitutes "basically" with "essentially", highlighting the crucial aspect.

but primarily because

Emphasizes the main reason using "primarily" instead of "basically".

but largely because

Replaces "basically" with "largely", indicating a significant reason.

but chiefly because

Uses "chiefly" in place of "basically" to denote the principal cause.

but mainly due to

Replaces "basically because" with "mainly due to", shifting the structure.

but principally because

Substitutes "basically" with "principally", stressing the leading factor.

however, the main reason is

Restructures the phrase to "however, the main reason is", providing a clearer separation.

but the primary cause is

Replaces "basically because" with "the primary cause is", focusing on causality.

but in essence because

Uses "in essence" to replace "basically", implying a summary of the core reason.

FAQs

What does "but basically because" mean?

The phrase "but basically because" is used to introduce a primary or simplified reason for something, often after acknowledging a contrasting point. It emphasizes the fundamental cause or explanation.

Is "but basically because" grammatically correct?

While commonly used in spoken language, "but basically because" can be considered grammatically awkward or redundant in formal writing. Consider using alternatives like "mainly because" or "primarily due to".

What can I say instead of "but basically because"?

You can use alternatives like "but fundamentally because", "but primarily because", or "mainly because" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "but basically because" or "mainly because"?

"Mainly because" is generally preferred in formal writing due to its conciseness and clarity. "But basically because" can sound redundant, although it's acceptable in informal conversation.