Ways to Replace “Basically” and “Essentially” in Writing

How to Eliminate Basically and Essentially from Your Writing

Discourage the Basically and Essentially Invasion

Two words that plague many writers are basically and essentially. Since their definitions are almost identical, I included both in the same post. They also share a common sin: the much-maligned classification as [gasp!] adverbs. No worries. If these pests have invaded your WIP, you can exterminate them with a minimum of effort.

Deletion

The simplest approach is to eliminate them. Review the following sentences. In most cases, they are stronger without basically or essentially.

Basically, it entailed a complete reversal of the decision

She basically asked for a reprieve.

The Creator knows basically everything about everyone.

He basically responded, “I can’t believe you did that.”

Steel-toed work boots basically protect employees’ toes from crush injuries.

Avoidance of blue light before bedtime basically promotes better sleep.

Basically, he didn’t believe anything she said.

I’m basically fed up with politicians.

Basically, he claimed he was innocent, but his shifty eyes betrayed the truth.

She basically had a green thumb that resulted in a garden with bumper crops.

Basically, the world is poised upon a dangerous precipice. We must combat climate change or suffer horrendous consequences.

Some wieners are basically so full of additives and unknown ingredients that many people refuse to eat them.

Time is essentially infinite.

The old woman was essentially a cat lover, adopting every stray that came into the yard.

The middle-aged man’s face was haggard, essentially the face of someone two decades older.

Essentially, the contract stipulated that neither buyer nor seller could renege on the terms without considerable financial penalty.

The voter was essentially a Republican, but he voted Democrat.

Water essentially consists of two molecules of hydrogen and one of oxygen.

A heptagon is essentially a two-dimensional shape with seven straight sides.

The Sahara Desert receives essentially less than three inches of rain most years.

Rolex watches essentially hint that a person has oodles of money.

Tomatoes are essentially fruits.

Each carving in the shop was essentially created by indigenous artists.

Rewording

When you don’t want to delete, study the meaning of each sentence and reword instead. This takes time but often produces stronger narrative.

Check the following examples.

# 1

Lemon cleaner and pine cleaner have different scents, but they perform basically the same functions.

Lemon cleaner and pine cleaner have different scents, but their functions are similar.

# 2

The definitions of basically and essentially are basically the same.

The definitions of basically and essentially are almost equivalent.

# 3

I believe that people are basically good.

I believe that most people start with good intentions.

# 4

One of the great things about Facetime and Zoom sessions is that they’re basically like personal meetings without the danger of personal contact.

One of the great things about Facetime and Zoom sessions is that they provide personal interaction without the danger of personal contact.

# 5

Basically, the problem is that nobody seems to care about anyone else anymore.

Self-centeredness and entitlement are huge problems nowadays.

# 6

Basically, the child had outgrown his boots.

The child’s feet had grown too large for his boots.

# 7

There are basically dozens of genres and sub-genres of books.

Books have been classified into dozens of genres and sub-genres.

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# 8

The terrain is essentially hilly with small flatlands in several areas.

Hills cover most of the terrain, punctuated with flatlands in several areas.

# 9

The aliens were essentially humanoid, with three legs, green skin, and overlarge ears.

The aliens looked humanoid, but they had three legs, green skin, and overlarge ears.

# 10

The vehicle was essentially a lemon and died after its first ten miles.

The defective vehicle died after its first ten miles.

# 11

The taxation system is essentially rigged in favor of the affluent.

The affluent benefit from a taxation system rigged in their favor.

# 12

Sir Gyvanne’s squire was essentially loyal — until he met Lady Loxanne.

When the squire met Lady Loxanne, any loyalty he felt for Sir Gyvanne disappeared.

# 13

She was essentially an optimist at heart.

She saw the best in every person and situation.

# 14

Essentially, 50 to 80 percent of Sweden’s population is light-haired.

Studies estimate that 50 to 80 percent of Sweden’s population is light-haired.

Direct Replacements

If deletion or rewording doesn’t suit your WIP, try one of the following, remembering that some are cliché. Coordinate each replacement with the circumstances of the narrative.

above all
all in all
almost
almost always
as a (general) rule
at heart
at the end of the day
au fond
by and large
characteristically
chiefly
commonly
customarily
effectively
first and foremost
first of all
for the most part
for/to all intents and purposes
fundamentally
generally
in effect
in essence
in general
in great measure
in most cases
in substance
in the end
in the general run of things
in the long run
in the main
in truth
inherently
innately
intrinsically
largely
mainly
materially
more often than not
most of the time
mostly
normally
on the whole
ordinarily
overall
predominantly
preponderantly
primarily
principally
really
routinely
substantially
to a great degree/extent
to a great/large extent
traditionally
truly
typically
ultimately
under normal/usual conditions
usually
virtually
when all is said and done
when push comes to shove
when you come/get right down to it