Meaning & use
basic industries
Last updated
“basic industries” is a form of “basic industry”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralbusinessspecialist
The industries that produce essential raw materials or goods, such as mining, farming, and steel, on which other industries depend.
Grammar: Plural noun; use a plural verb: Basic industries are important. For one sector, use the singular 'basic industry'.
Patterns
- the basic industries
- basic industries such as ...
- invest in basic industries
Mining and agriculture are basic industries in many developing countries.
The government protected basic industries such as steel and coal.
When basic industries decline, many smaller businesses also suffer.
nounpluralbusiness
The group of industries that supply power, water, and raw materials needed for daily life and for other businesses.
Grammar: Often used with 'the' and followed by 'of' plus a country or region: the basic industries of the north.
Patterns
- the basic industries of a region
- national basic industries
- support basic industries
The basic industries of the region are oil and natural gas.
A reliable power supply is vital for all basic industries.
Common combinations
- heavy basic industries
- Heavy basic industries like steel need large amounts of energy.
- develop basic industries
- The plan aims to develop basic industries before expanding services.
- basic industries such as mining
- Basic industries such as mining provide materials for factories.
- the basic industries of the country
- Farming remains one of the basic industries of the country.
Synonyms and how they differ
- primary industries
- A more technical economics term for industries that extract raw materials; it does not usually include manufacturing like steel.
- key industries
- Focuses on importance to the economy rather than on producing essential materials.
Opposites
Word family
- basic industry noun
- The singular form, meaning one such industry.
- industrial adjective
- Relating to industry or factories.
- industrialize verb
- To develop industries in a country or region.
Commonly confused: basic industries or basic industry?
basic industries vs basic industry
Use the singular for one sector (steel is a basic industry) and the plural for the whole group (steel and mining are basic industries).
Practice
Which sentence uses 'basic industries' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Basic industries' is plural and takes a plural verb, so option An and D are wrong. Option B is wrong because a nurse works in a service industry, not in mining or farming.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “basic industries”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.