returning to basics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "returning to basics" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the idea of simplifying or going back to fundamental principles or ideas, often in a context of reassessment or improvement. Example: "In times of uncertainty, many companies find success by returning to basics and focusing on their core values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In this mess, with its bitter aftertaste, it is worth returning to basics.

The New York Times

You can see the appeal of returning to basics for a man who has achieved pretty much everything.

The Guardian - Music

But after spending $50 million in advertising last Christmas season, only to bring in sales half that amount, KB is returning to basics.

The New York Times

"We need to take care of the people who are already here," she said, "and that means returning to basics: fixing potholes, building great parks and improving the police department".

The New York Times

In the instance of Galileo, Mr. Aczel does what the best writers on difficult subjects do -- he takes his reader by the hand and explicates matters by returning to basics -- in this instance what exactly it means when we count numbers.

The New York Times - Books

Curtailing such investments is a mistake, we believe, because sustainability is closely aligned with critical moves companies need to make in a downturn moves like doing more with less, returning to basics and investing prudently.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

So much of "Serenade" is just about dancers doing, and returning to, basic ballet class work.

The New York Times - Arts

Intuitive eating involves returning to basic drives, dispensing with the notion of "good" or "bad" foods and rules about when to eat.

The New York Times - Health

More than a dozen years after California dropped phonics for what it felt was the more imaginative approach to teaching reading known as whole language, it is returning to basic phonics in a big way.

The New York Times

But now people returned to basics: food, water, safety.

The New Yorker

In this morass, it may be helpful to return to basics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When facing complex problems, consider "returning to basics" to ensure a strong foundation. This can help identify overlooked fundamental issues.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "returning to basics" means ignoring innovation. It's about reinforcing fundamentals, not abandoning progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "returning to basics" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of simplifying or refocusing on fundamental principles. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from business to education, to emphasize a need for reassessment and core understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "returning to basics" is a useful idiom for suggesting a simplification or refocus on fundamental principles, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness and providing numerous real-world examples. While relatively common, its use spans diverse fields, most notably news, science and encyclopedias. Alternatives such as "going back to basics" or "reverting to fundamentals" can offer nuanced expressions of the same core concept. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to balance the return to core principles with the need for continued innovation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going back to basics

Replaces "returning" with "going back", maintaining the core meaning of reverting to fundamental principles.

reverting to fundamentals

Emphasizes the act of reversing to foundational elements rather than the act of returning.

getting back to basics

Similar to "going back", but uses "getting" to convey the action of returning.

back to square one

Implies starting over completely, often after a failure, which is a more drastic version of returning to basics.

sticking to the essentials

Focuses on maintaining only the necessary elements, subtly different from revisiting basics.

simplifying the approach

Highlights the simplification aspect of returning to basics, focusing on streamlining processes.

focusing on core principles

Emphasizes the concentration on key principles as opposed to a broader return to basics.

getting down to brass tacks

An idiomatic expression indicating a focus on practical, essential details.

streamlining operations

Focuses on efficiency and optimization, a specific application of returning to basics in a business context.

deconstructing the process

Implies analyzing and simplifying a complex process, highlighting the simplification aspect.

FAQs

What does "returning to basics" mean?

It means focusing on the fundamental aspects of a subject or activity, often to improve understanding or performance.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "returning to basics"?

It's appropriate when discussing simplification, reassessment, or a renewed focus on core principles after complexity has increased.

What can I say instead of "returning to basics"?

You can use alternatives like "going back to basics", "reverting to fundamentals", or "sticking to the essentials" depending on the context.

How does "returning to basics" differ from "starting from scratch"?

"Returning to basics" implies revisiting existing knowledge, while "starting from scratch" suggests building something entirely new without prior assumptions.