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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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the basics of

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the basics of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the beginning or fundamental concepts of a topic. Example: I am learning the basics of calculus.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It goes beyond the basics of building.

News & Media

The New York Times

What are the basics of female sexuality?

News & Media

The New Yorker

The basics of the app are straightforward.

The basics of star formation are easy.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

What are the basics of the plans?

News & Media

BBC

The Basics of Medicare.

News & Media

Huffington Post

The basics of investing.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Understand the basics of shifting.

Master the basics of flipping.

Understand the basics of torrents.

Master the basics of sewing.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When teaching a new skill, start by explaining "the basics of" that skill before moving on to more complex techniques.

Common error

Avoid implying that "the basics of" a subject are easy just because they are fundamental. The foundations can still be challenging to master.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

73%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the basics of" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a noun or noun phrase, indicating the fundamental or elementary aspects of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and correct construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

45%

News & Media

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the basics of" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for referring to the fundamental aspects of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It's frequently found in how-to guides and news articles, and while its register is generally neutral, the specific context determines the level of formality. To enhance your writing, consider alternatives like "the fundamentals of" or "the essentials of", and remember that mastering the basics doesn't necessarily mean they are easy.

FAQs

How can I use "the basics of" in a sentence?

You can use "the basics of" to introduce fundamental concepts or skills, such as "I'm learning "the basics of coding"".

What's a good alternative to "the basics of"?

Alternatives include "the fundamentals of", "the essentials of", or "an introduction to", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "basics of" or "fundamentals of"?

Both "the basics of" and "the fundamentals of" are correct and largely interchangeable. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; "fundamentals" often implies a more rigorous or academic approach.

What are some common topics to learn "the basics of"?

Common topics include skills like cooking, coding, or playing a musical instrument, as well as subjects like math, science, or history. Always start with "the basics of math" before tackling advanced calculus.

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Source & Trust

73%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: