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
that basically it
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "that basically it" is not a complete sentence and cannot be used on its own.
You can use it as part of a larger sentence, for example: "I wanted to tell him more about the project, but that basically it."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Academia
Science
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
13 human-written examples
"I've seen suggestions that basically it amounts to flipping a coin as to the level of accuracy of year-to-year changes," Mr. Neill said.
News & Media
"You have to face the truth that basically it has been art for white people," said Dorothy Gunther Pugh, the founder of Ballet Memphis.
News & Media
This is one of the early prospectuses for Hudson View Gardens, and you can see that basically it deals with how an apartment at Hudson View Gardens would improve a woman's life.
Academia
"They waited until the very last minute to tell us that Greece wasn't the country we thought we knew, that basically it was bankrupt," she sighed, rueing the fact that at 21 she is still forced to live with her parents.
News & Media
The picture the president painted of his budget, Mr. Ryan added, was that "basically it's un-American".
News & Media
When I asked them to elaborate, most said that, basically, it had made them jump.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
47 human-written examples
And that's basically it: that is the entire backline of thriving YouTube channel WillNE.
News & Media
That basically turned it into a toaster.
News & Media
That basically sums it up for me right now.
News & Media
That's basically it, but each episode intensifies, emotionally, suggesting the long arc of a story that's just beginning.
News & Media
"That's basically it.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
In formal writing, replace "that basically it" with clearer and grammatically correct alternatives such as "that's essentially it" or "that's the gist of it" to ensure clarity and professionalism.
Common error
Avoid using "that basically it" as a standalone sentence in formal contexts. It often lacks a verb and a clear subject, making the statement grammatically incomplete and potentially confusing for the reader.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "that basically it" functions as a summarizing expression. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is not grammatically complete and is best used within a larger sentence or in informal contexts. It aims to provide a concise conclusion to a preceding statement.
Frequent in
News & Media
62%
Academia
23%
Science
15%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "that basically it" is commonly used, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect for formal writing. It serves to summarize information, but should be replaced with grammatically complete and more formal alternatives like "that's essentially it" or "that's the gist of it" in professional contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Academia, but its informal nature suggests caution in more formal settings.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
that's it in a nutshell
Conveys the idea of summarizing something in a very brief and concise manner.
that's essentially all
Replaces "basically" with "essentially" and adds "all" for a more complete thought.
that's the bottom line
Highlights the essential or most important point to be considered.
that's all there is to it
Emphasizes that there are no further complications or details.
that's fundamentally it
Substitutes "basically" with "fundamentally" to emphasize the core aspect.
that's the essence of it
Emphasizes the crucial underlying element or quality.
that's the sum of it
Presents the entire matter as a concise total or conclusion.
that's the main thing
Focuses on what is most important or significant.
that's the gist of it
Replaces the entire phrase to focus on conveying the main point or summary.
that's the long and short of it
Offers a more idiomatic way to express the summary of something.
FAQs
How can I use a more grammatically correct version of "that basically it"?
You can use phrases like "that's basically it" (adding the 's), or alternatives like "that's essentially it" or "that's the gist of it".
What does "that basically it" mean?
It's a shortened, informal way of saying "that is basically everything", used to summarize or conclude a statement.
Is "that basically it" suitable for formal writing?
No, it's generally considered too informal. Use more complete and grammatically correct alternatives like "that's essentially all" or "that's the bottom line".
What's a more emphatic way to say "that basically it"?
Consider using phrases like "that's all there is to it" to emphasize the finality of the statement.
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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
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested