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Basically

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

27 June 2026

Basically

We use this expression to summarise an opinion or what someone thinks, says or does.

Written: Yes

Spoken: Yes

Formal: No

Informal: Yes

Example 1

Why isn't Alicia coming? Is she ill?

No, basically she's too busy. She told me she's got a whole list of things to do.

Example 2

What does your Dad do?

Basically, he works with doctors. It's a bit more complicated than that, though.

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