more than basically

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than basically" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used when trying to emphasize that something exceeds a basic level of understanding or quality, but it is better to use clearer expressions. Example: "The project is more than basically a simple task; it requires extensive research and collaboration."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When asked about his favourite part of the conference, he immediately remarked "petting the sharks at the aquarium," then, after a pause, "oh, and seeing Bono Richardrd's device costs less then ten dollars, is made from nothing more than basically spare parts, and works because of one simple yet astute observation: he noticed that lions would stay away when he walked around with a flashlight.

BBC

That George Bush "basically" authorized the torture program -- but no more than "basically".

Huffington Post

During a brief question-and-answer period, Ryan called Obamacare "nothing more than basically a proxy and a plan to get to government-run health care," and he said Republicans have to show voters -- "We owe you!" -- an Obamacare replacement.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"As you move our market to the mid and high-end, the service requirement gets much more involved than basically offering a list of properties and we bill you to book a commission," he says.

TechCrunch

If you've never played a Grand Theft Auto game, they are infinitely more addictive than basically any other video game that purports to have unlimited boundaries.

Vice

"I guess I was worried more about that than basically the ballgame," Ortiz said.

The New York Times - Sports

Towards 1990 the death rate from lung cancer more than doubled among basically educated men, and among basically educated women increased sixfold from the 1960s to the 1990s (see web extra fig A1).

British Medical Journal

Primo Orpilla, the co-founder of the architecture and design firm Studio O+A, has been designing offices for digital-technology companies for more than thirty years, basically since the start of the PC era.

The New Yorker

Again, I view the speed of the 5c as more than adequate for basically anything you're going to want to do with it — at least for now, and I imagine at least for the next year.

TechCrunch

I mean, it's more than that, but basically, these people are like if Girl Talk wasn't shit.

Vice

You can easily finish a stage with your shinobi wearing nothing more than what is, basically, a barely-keeping-everything-in-place bikini.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, replace "more than basically" with more precise alternatives that clearly convey the intended nuance, such as "more than just" or "beyond the basics".

Common error

Avoid using "more than basically" as a filler phrase to soften claims. Instead, provide concrete details and stronger verbs to articulate the actual extent or degree.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than basically" functions as an intensifier, suggesting that something exceeds a fundamental or basic level. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is not standard in written English and might sound awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more than basically" is used to indicate that something exceeds a fundamental or simple level, but Ludwig AI analysis suggests it is not a standard or preferred expression in written English. Its grammatical correctness is acceptable, but the phrase is considered rare and can sound awkward, with better alternatives available such as "beyond just" or "more than merely". The sources where it appears are primarily in the news, media, and scientific categories, but its infrequent usage suggests a need for clearer and more precise phrasing in most contexts. For enhanced writing, avoid overusing it as a hedge and aim for concrete language to better articulate the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just basically

Highlights that something is not limited to its basic form or function.

more than merely

Similar in structure but emphasizes that something is not 'just' or 'only'.

exceeding a basic level

Directly states that something is higher than a basic or standard level.

beyond just

Emphasizes exceeding a simple state; focuses on what lies further.

past the basics

Suggests leaving behind fundamental concepts or elements for something more complex.

exceeding simply

Highlights surpassing a fundamental or uncomplicated aspect.

more than just superficially

Focuses on exceeding a surface-level understanding or treatment.

surpassing fundamentally

Conveys a higher degree compared to something basic or elemental.

further than elementary

Indicates progression beyond an initial or foundational stage.

transcending simply

Suggests rising above a simple or basic condition to something greater.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "more than basically" in a sentence?

While grammatically acceptable, "more than basically" can sound awkward. Consider rephrasing for clarity. For example, instead of "The project is more than basically complete", try "The project is "more than just" complete; it's fully optimized".

What's a better alternative to "more than basically"?

Alternatives include phrases like "beyond just", "more than merely", or "exceeding simply" depending on the specific context.

Is "more than basically" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, the phrase "more than basically" is not standard English and can be improved for clarity. It's often better to use a more direct and precise expression.

In what contexts is "more than basically" most likely to appear?

Based on available data, "more than basically" may appear in news, media, and scientific contexts, but its usage is infrequent. Therefore, consider rephrasing for broader acceptance and understanding.