The phrase "a basic level of understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's foundational knowledge or comprehension of a subject.
Example: "Before we dive deeper into the topic, it's important to ensure that everyone has a basic level of understanding of the key concepts."
Alternatives: "a fundamental grasp of" or "a rudimentary comprehension of".
But not even having a basic level of understanding?
But there is a basic level of understanding that, if you don't have it, drastically reduces the likelihood that you'll become an engineer.
A basic level of understanding is a strong starting point.
But whilst the Blackwood character symbolizes at least a basic level of understanding and collaboration with the Dharug, the opposite is true of some of the Hawkesbury's more dubious residents.
There was a very interesting shift in the play's power dynamics and collective wisdom as Mrs. Pearce, Mrs. Higgins, Mrs. Eynsford Hill, and Eliza continued to pay careful attention to human nature and psychological detail with a basic level of understanding that, as men of position and privilege, neither Higgins nor Pickering could ever master.
Experienced partners developed information modules to bring newcomers up to a basic level of understanding of the scientific purpose of OMERACT.
This result is not entirely surprising, given that the modules evaluated in this study were developed specifically for use in an introductory level course and therefore were designed to provide a basic level of conceptual understanding.
Some participants in the sample purposely limited their knowledge of medical information as a strategy to feel in control, choosing only to have a basic level of knowledge and understanding, and that level was enough for them to manage and feel in control of their conditions.
Catchment-scale impacts are best studied using a water balance model, which would require a basic level of field data and understanding of the variability.
