The phrase "a basic command of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's fundamental understanding or proficiency in a particular subject or skill.
Example: "To apply for this position, you should have a basic command of the English language."
Alternatives: "a fundamental understanding of" or "a basic knowledge of".
When he arrived here, at the age of twenty-eight, Hemon had what his publisher calls only a "basic command" of English.
Though senior militants in the Middle East often have a basic command of English, few have any real grasp of western culture.
Under new regulations in Britain, Muslim imams and other "ministers of religion" wishing to enter Britain to work must show a basic command of English.
Since last autumn, people from outside the EU applying for a visa to join their spouse or partner now have to prove they have a basic command of English before their application is approved.
Under the new rules, anyone from outside the EU applying for a visa to join their spouse or partner will have to prove they have a basic command of English, to help them get by in daily life, before their application is approved.
In the education sector, Micronesian children attended public schools (logakko in Japanese) that emphasised teaching vocational skills, self-discipline and a basic command of Japanese.
"You had students who could not use a computer, whose basic command of the spoken English language is not even there, and these are home [UK] students".
This requires some basic command of a needle and thread or sewing machine, but when done well it could be neater and more reliable than gluing or ironing on a patch.
The new measure for 11-year-olds will be designed to ensure they have the basic command of the "three Rs" that they need to be able to progress to secondary school, a department spokesman said.
Teaching your pup the basic command of heel will allow you to keep your dog under control while on or off leash and will help both of you avoid injury.
Once the dog knows what its name is, you're ready to teach it the basic commands of dog dom.
