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Here in Sydney, I hear "basically" a lot. But it seems to add no thing to the meaning and is used in an unnecessary way. Am I correct? Is it a filler to give some time to think? In written English, most of the time I find this word used appropriatly though.

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  • I agree with your assessment – it's basically a filler word.
    – J.R. ♦
    Commented Aug 18, 2017 at 1:46

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Aye, "basically" is often misused in spoken english. As you said it adds no real value. But English is not alone, I have heard people abusing "basically" at the beginning of sentences also in Greek and Italian.

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  • Not to mention the frequent and horrible misuse of 'you know' in american English...
    – MeanGreen
    Commented Aug 18, 2017 at 9:49
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    And what about "Well..."? But you get the 'best' results combining them together: "Well... you know... basically...". Haha
    – Coreplo
    Commented Aug 18, 2017 at 13:12

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