Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

it's really that basic
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's really that basic," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's about discovery and new life it's really the basic premise of Star Trek," he said.

Wiki

Wikipedia

So it's really basic things about sharing our resources.

News & Media

Independent

It's really kind of basic.

News & Media

The New York Times

"It's really basic," says co-author Dirk Notz, a sea ice expert at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Hamburg, Germany.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

"It's really back to basics".

News & Media

The New York Times

"It's really a prize about basic research," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

There have been a few iterations, but it's really kind of phenomenal that the same basic design is still in use today.

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

It's really easy to forget the basic tasks.

News & Media

The New York Times

But, at its most basic, it's really common sense.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

It's really not too much to ask that a basic function like placing a phone call works reliably.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Deploy this phrase as a concluding sentence to provide a sharp, clear summary of a complex argument.

Common error

Avoid stacking too many intensifiers like "it's literally actually really that basic", which dilutes the impact. One strong adverb like 'really' combined with the demonstrative 'that' is sufficient to convey the intended emphasis.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, "it's really that basic" functions as a complete independent clause consisting of a dummy subject ("it"), a linking verb ("is"), and a predicate adjective ("basic") modified by two intensifiers ("really" and "that"). In the context of Ludwig examples, it serves as a powerful rhetorical device to strip away nuance and reveal a core fact.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

Formal & Business

Social Media

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "it's really that basic" is an effective linguistic tool for cutting through noise and highlighting fundamental truths. Data from Ludwig indicates that while it is found across various prestigious domains like The New York Times and Science Magazine, it remains a phrase rooted in clear, direct communication. It is grammatically correct and serves as a strong emphatic statement. Writers should use it to provide clarity, but should be mindful of the context to ensure they aren't oversimplifying a truly nuanced issue. When you need to bring an audience back to the core of a problem, this phrase is a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is genuinely that simple

Replaces the colloquial 'really' with 'genuinely' and uses 'simple' for a smoother tone.

it's just that simple

Uses 'just' to emphasize the lack of extra requirements or complications.

it is actually that straightforward

Focuses on the lack of ambiguity rather than the 'basic' nature of the subject.

it's quite elementary

Adopts a slightly more classic or didactic tone, implying the answer is found at a beginner level.

it boils down to this

Uses a common idiom to indicate that the core truth is uncomplicated.

it is essentially that easy

Highlights the effortlessness of understanding or performing the task.

it's that uncomplicated

Specifically emphasizes the absence of complex layers or difficulties.

it is fundamentally that plain

Uses 'fundamentally' to add weight to the 'basic' nature of the subject.

it's literally that basic

Uses a modern colloquial intensifier for extreme emphasis in informal settings.

it is truly this fundamental

Shifts the focus to the 'foundational' aspect, often used in scientific or philosophical contexts.

FAQs

How do I use "it's really that basic" in a sentence?

You can use it to emphasize a simple truth, such as: "If you want to save money, spend less than you earn; "it's really that basic"."

What can I say instead of "it's really that basic"?

Depending on your tone, you might choose "it is genuinely that simple" for a more formal approach or "it's just that simple" for everyday conversation.

Is "it's really that basic" or "it's really that simple" more common?

Both are common, but "it's really that simple" is used more frequently for general tasks, while "it's really that basic" often refers to fundamental principles or foundational concepts.

What is the difference between "it's really that basic" and "it's actually basic"?

The phrase "it's really that basic" uses 'that' as a degree modifier to refer back to a specific level of simplicity previously mentioned or implied, whereas "it's actually basic" simply contradicts an assumption of complexity.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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it's really that basicGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

it's really that basic
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples