extremely basic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extremely basic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very simple or fundamental, often in a context where more complexity is expected. Example: "The tutorial was extremely basic, covering only the most essential concepts without going into any depth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Set-up is simpler in an iPad, but the iOS app is extremely basic and uninspiring.

The Guardian - Tech

"My care was extremely basic – to be kept clean, fed and medicated".

The Guardian - Opinion

For one, his English is extremely basic, but he's lucky: his wife, Maria Angelica, is an English teacher.

The Guardian - Sport

The bile acids were a very complicated puzzle and the methods available at the time were extremely basic.

The Guardian

"A lot of new apartments have bland doors with extremely basic, boring doorknobs" that can be replaced, Mr. Cohler said.

The New York Times

The design is extremely basic, with profiles often consisting of just one paragraph of text and no pictures.

The Guardian - Travel

The hospitals' operations are extremely basic in order to keep costs down, as most patients pay from their pockets.

Harvard Business Review

The contact angle was also found to be independent of the pH of water from extremely acidic to extremely basic.

Carbon

History tells us there was one actual fifth Beatle: Stuart Sutcliffe who played extremely basic bass and bailed out as early as 1961.

The Guardian - Music

Even Barack Obama weighed in, tweeting his support of an extremely basic version of the Mexican favourite: "respect the nyt, but not buying peas in guac.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Perhaps even systems like thermostats, he speculated, with their one simple means of response, were conscious in some extremely basic way.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extremely basic", consider whether a more precise term might better convey the specific nuance you intend. For instance, use "rudimentary" for initial stages or "unadorned" for a lack of decoration.

Common error

Avoid using "extremely basic" in highly formal or academic writing where a more sophisticated synonym like "fundamentally simple" or "essentially uncomplicated" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely basic" functions as an adverb-adjective modifier, intensifying the simplicity or fundamentality of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English to describe something very simple.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extremely basic" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something simple or fundamental. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and widely used in written English. While versatile, it's important to consider the context; more formal synonyms may be preferable in academic or professional settings. Common contexts include news, science, and business, with authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times frequently employing the phrase. For enhanced precision, consider alternatives such as "fundamentally simple" or "very rudimentary" to better convey the specific nuance you intend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamentally simple

Emphasizes the core, uncomplicated nature of something.

very rudimentary

Highlights the initial, undeveloped stage of something.

utterly simplistic

Implies an oversimplified approach, possibly to a fault.

plain and unadorned

Focuses on the lack of embellishment or decoration.

essentially uncomplicated

Underscores the lack of difficulty or complexity.

bare-bones

Suggests a stripped-down version with only essential components.

minimally complex

Directly states the low level of complexity involved.

incredibly straightforward

Highlights the direct and easy-to-understand nature.

patently unsophisticated

Emphasizes the lack of refinement or advanced features.

downright elemental

Conveys the basic, fundamental nature, akin to elements.

FAQs

How can I use "extremely basic" in a sentence?

You can use "extremely basic" to describe something simple or fundamental, such as, "The instructions were "extremely basic", making it easy for beginners to understand".

What are some alternatives to "extremely basic"?

Alternatives include "fundamentally simple", "very rudimentary", or "utterly simplistic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "extremely basic" in formal writing?

While "extremely basic" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "essentially uncomplicated" or "minimally complex" in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "extremely basic" and "very rudimentary"?

"Extremely basic" generally emphasizes simplicity, while "very rudimentary" suggests an initial or undeveloped stage. The choice depends on the context and the specific aspect you want to highlight.