basically

basically — adverb

1. if you describe something as being a particular way basically, you mean that thi

1.副詞B2
釋義

if you describe something as being a particular way basically, you mean that this is true of its main quality, even though smaller details may differ.

例句

Priya's old Nokia and her new iPhone look different, but basically they both make calls and send messages.

describing a shared core feature despite surface differences

Priya's job is basically to answer customer emails all day.

basically + to-infinitive summarising main duty

同義詞
  • essentially

    slightly more formal; same meaning of 'in its main qualities'

  • fundamentally

    stresses the deepest level of a quality, often in serious writing

  • mainly

    focuses on the largest part rather than the core nature

反義詞
  • superficially

    describes only the surface, opposite of the core-quality meaning

文法句型

basically + adjective/clause describing core trait

用法筆記

Often modifies a whole clause and sits before the main verb or after 'be'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense compares features of a thing; sense 2 introduces a speaker's overall point in conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The two cars are same basically.
✅The two cars are basically the same.
💡place 'basically' before the adjective, not at the end.
❌Basically of, the plan worked.
✅Basically, the plan worked.
💡'basically' is an adverb, not a preposition; no 'of' follows it.

2. speakers use this word to introduce a short summary of the most important thing

2.副詞B2
釋義

speakers use this word to introduce a short summary of the most important thing they want to say, often to skip over smaller details before giving an opinion or conclusion.

例句

Basically, Yael wants to quit her job and travel for a year.

Basically, + clause introducing the speaker's main point

I won't list every number, but basically our bakery made two thousand dollars last year.

summarising a longer report in one sentence

同義詞
  • essentially

    more formal substitute when summarising in writing

  • in short

    stronger signal of a summary; common in writing

  • to put it simply

    longer phrase used to rephrase a complex idea

文法句型

Basically, + clause

用法筆記

Frequently sits at the start of a sentence, followed by a comma, and is common in spoken English. Some careful writers avoid it because it can sound like a filler; learners should not over-use it in formal essays.

常見錯誤

❌Basically that he is tired.
✅Basically, he is tired.
💡'basically' introduces a full clause, not a 'that-clause' fragment.
❌I basically want to say sorry.' (when you mean 'all I want to say is sorry')
✅Basically, I just want to say sorry.
💡front the adverb to signal a summary.