would basically be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would basically be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to simplify or summarize a concept or idea in a more informal manner. Example: "If we combine these two methods, the result would basically be a more efficient process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would basically be impossible".

The New York Times

The students would basically be writing on demand.

The New York Times

"I would basically be starting the season over," Parise said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It would basically be paid for," Ms. Sullivan said.

The New York Times

"The J.F.K. would basically be an aircraft carrier sitting on our waterfront forever".

The New York Times

Each of these particles would basically be the same thing, but one's force and one's matter.

Independent

I would basically be a teaching assistant, and my students, unlike those at Harvard, could not question their professor".

The New York Times

In fact, to do so would basically be a full-time job, and an excruciatingly tedious one at that.

The New York Times

But this underscores how frightened Trump's allies are of an interview that would basically be a minefield of self-incrimination.

The Washington Post

Ashes count as human remains; it would basically be selling his mum's corpse, for the purpose of comedy.

The Guardian

"It doesn't have a big emblazoned logo like, Oanda the Currency Site, which would basically be a steal-me sticker".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would basically be" to simplify complex ideas or to express an approximate equivalence in an understandable way.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "would basically be", as it can make your writing sound informal or imprecise. Vary your language by using more specific and descriptive terms when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would basically be" functions as a qualifier or approximation, used to simplify complex ideas or present an outcome in general terms. Ludwig examples show it clarifying potential results or consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would basically be" is a versatile phrase used to simplify complex concepts or express approximate equivalences. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media, though less frequent in formal writing. For more sophisticated communication, consider alternatives like "would essentially be" or "would amount to" to avoid sounding overly informal. While extremely common, remember to diversify your writing to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would essentially be

Replaces "basically" with "essentially", maintaining a similar sense of approximation or fundamental nature.

would effectively be

Substitutes "basically" with "effectively", emphasizing the actual result or impact.

would virtually be

Substitutes "basically" with "virtually", indicating near equivalence or practical similarity.

would practically be

Uses "practically" instead of "basically", suggesting equivalence in a practical sense.

would amount to

Replaces the entire phrase with "would amount to", indicating a result or consequence.

would almost be

Indicates a near or approximate state, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly weaker assertion.

is more or less

Highlights an approximate equivalence, often used for simplification.

could be considered

Shifts the focus to how something might be perceived or categorized.

is akin to

Emphasizes a similarity or likeness between two things.

is tantamount to

Expresses that something is virtually equivalent to something else, often with serious implications.

FAQs

How can I use "would basically be" in a sentence?

Use "would basically be" to simplify a concept or to indicate an approximate outcome. For example, "Combining these steps "would basically be" creating a new process".

What phrases are similar to "would basically be"?

Alternatives include "would essentially be", "would effectively be", or "would amount to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "would basically be" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "would basically be" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "would essentially be" or "would amount to".

What's the difference between "would basically be" and "would essentially be"?

"Would basically be" implies a general simplification or approximation, while "would essentially be" suggests a more fundamental or inherent quality. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize simplification or inherent nature.