essentially

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "essentially" is correct and can be used in written English.
Essentially means "basically" or "fundamentally," and it can be used to explain that something is true in its most basic sense. For example: "Essentially, a car runs on gasoline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is essentially clear that the four more liberal members of the Court will vote in favor of the mandate.

The New York Times

For four seasons he has been in many ways an avatar for the audience; we know Tyrion is cynical and a political pragmatist, but underneath the wit and one-liners we have clung to the idea that he is essentially good.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(Told you it was complicated; essentially, pensions, benefits and tax credits now use a lower measure of inflation to calculate their annual increases).

The Guardian - Opinion

Until McIlroy and Dubai Duty Free stepped forward, this was a tournament minus a sponsor and, essentially, direction.

The Guardian - Sport

"If you've got two campaigns essentially arguing the economic and financial viability of Scotland then it broadens the base, it makes that case stronger," Pringle explained.

The Guardian

Essentially, like Michael Fish and the hurricane, I underestimated the strength of the 1970s revival we are experiencing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The size and scope of Oink's catalogue outdid any online music purveyor, and given its distributed nature, the archive was essentially indestructible.

The Guardian - Books

In a new policy paper on how to respond to their growing popularity the RSPH says: "Electronic cigarettes are significantly less harmful than smoked tobacco, and despite some products being visually similar to cigarettes, they are essentially nicotine containing products, or NCPs, like patches and gum".

The Guardian

The last person to leave a party, essentially.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Green candidate knocked on my door at 2pm one Tuesday afternoon, and looked so startled to get a response that she essentially just ran away after about five seconds.

The Guardian

"Essentially one programme allows us to take a phone number that has been discovered … through some lead that is typical of what our intelligence services do.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essentially" to simplify complex ideas or arguments, helping your audience grasp the core concept quickly. For example, "The project, essentially, aims to improve efficiency."

Common error

Avoid using "essentially" in sentences where the meaning is already clear and straightforward. Overusing it can make your writing sound redundant. Instead of "The task is essentially easy", try "The task is easy".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "essentially" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that something is true or important in its basic nature. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing examples where it clarifies the core meaning of a statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "essentially" functions as an adverb used to highlight the core or fundamental aspect of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in News & Media. While highly versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in simple sentences to prevent redundancy. Consider using synonyms like "fundamentally" or "basically" for variety. Remember that "essentially" helps clarify complex ideas by focusing on the most important elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamentally

Highlights the basic and foundational aspect.

basically

Emphasizes the simple or rudimentary nature.

in essence

Focuses on the core meaning or nature.

at its core

Identifies the central and most important element.

in reality

Indicates the actual state of affairs.

primarily

Stresses the main or most important aspect.

largely

Indicates that something is mostly true or applicable.

mainly

Similar to "primarily", emphasizing the main point.

virtually

Indicates something is nearly or almost the same.

in effect

Describes the practical consequence or result.

FAQs

How can I use "essentially" in a sentence?

"Essentially" is used to indicate what is fundamental or most important about something. For example, "The problem is, "essentially", a lack of funding".

What's the difference between "essentially" and "basically"?

While both words mean 'in its most important aspects', "essentially" often suggests a deeper analysis to get to the core, whereas "basically" implies a more simplified explanation. They are often interchangeable, though context might favor one over the other.

What can I say instead of "essentially"?

You can use alternatives like "fundamentally", "basically", or "in essence" depending on the nuance you want to convey. For example, instead of "It's "essentially" the same", you might say "It's "fundamentally" the same".

Is it correct to start a sentence with "essentially"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "essentially" is grammatically correct and can be effective for emphasizing the core point right from the beginning. For example, "Essentially, we need more resources to complete the project".