BASICALLY = this is a summary of the important information
We use ‘basically’ when we want to give someone a summary of information. The general information is important. Details are not important.
Examples:
My grandma has had four heart operations in the past year. She basically needs a new heart!
(To summarise, she just needs a new heart.)
My teenage daughter has been very moody lately. Basically she is angry at me because she wants a new phone and I said ‘no’.
(Teenagers are generally moody. However, not getting a new phone is the main reason my daughter is moody.)
Don’t worry too much about making mistakes on your driving test okay? Basically, the driving examiner wants to make sure you are a safe driver.
(Being a safe driver is the most important thing. Of course there are other factors to passing your driving test.)
Adam: How are things in your internship?
Clara: Not too bad. Well, I’m basically just a ‘coffee getter.’ That’s about all I do.
(Clara mainly goes to get coffee for everyone. She does other things as well, but that is her main duty.)
Jim’s car is so old. It’s basically a box with wheels.
(Mainly, I think his car is a box with wheels. Of course this is not what a car really is. I am summarising.)
We can use ‘basically’ in the front position:
Basically, I want to leave my job. I really hate it.
Basically, all my husband cares about is the dog.
After ‘be’:
Karen is basically an attention seeker.
Cookies are basically the same thing as biscuits.
Before the main verb:
My son is only 3 and he can basically read already!
The company was basically given to Carla after her parents retired.
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Another essential phrase: I STAND CORRECTED
