Basically, yes




(running for cover)
>Doesn't "he is basically honest" usually imply some sort of "but" afterwards.
>
>I used to write annual appraisements and that was the sort of phrase that could cause sparks to fly.
>
>>So should 'fundamentally,' 'chiefly,' 'inherently,' and 'essentially' be avoided as well?
>>
>>I disagree. If you say:
>>
>>"He is honest"
>>
>>that is not the same as saying:
>>
>>"He is basically honest"
>>
>>The latter describes his nature.
>>
>>
>>>Tamar,
>>>
>>>You say:
>>>
>>>Avoid the word "utilize." There's no situation in which "utilize" is a better choice than "use."
>>>
>>>also while you're at it could you add to the article:
>>>
>>>Avoid the word "basically." There's no situation in which "basically" makes any difference to the sense of the sentence.
>>>
>>>
>>>>>The moronic rule of thumb would appear to be "if the sentence requires a pronoun, replace it with one of those pronouns with 'self/selves' on the end"
>>>>
>>>>Yeah, drives me nuts, too. Here's what I have about this on my website (http://www.tomorrowssolutionsllc.com/writingtips.htm):
>>>>
>>>>Don't abuse the "self" words. These words ("myself," "yourself," etc.) belong in a sentence only if the corresponding pronoun has already appeared. For example, this is correct:
>>>>
>>>>"I'll take care of it myself."
>>>>
>>>>But this is wrong:
>>>>
>>>>"He had a meeting with John and myself."
>>>>
>>>>That should be:
>>>>
>>>>"He had a meeting with John and me."
>>>>
>>>>Tamar