a breadth of understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a breadth of understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a wide or comprehensive level of knowledge or insight on a particular subject. Example: "Her extensive research provided her with a breadth of understanding about climate change and its impacts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A breadth of understanding across disciplines will be much more valuable than a narrow competence in one activity.

The Guardian

He articulated a breadth of understanding of the concerns confronting black America, the mutated strains of intolerance that remained despite his election as the first black President.

The New Yorker

Others have argued that it creates an "elite" tier of social workers, and that the focus on child protection means participants won't have a breadth of understanding through which to analyse cases.

The Guardian

She has held a number of senior roles in local government, which has provided her with a breadth of understanding and perspective on the challenges and opportunities of working within the public sector.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The interlocker role privileges a breadth of understandings across disciplines, rather than a depth in one.

BMC Health Services Research

Creative methodology provides new perspectives and a greater breadth of understanding.

BMJ Open

The result for Britain is a population that struggles with breadth of understanding.

Independent

In this qualitative study, a purposive sampling method was employed with a small sample size that provides depth, rather than breadth, of understanding.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

He could talk about Babylon or the Benin bronzes with the same exhilarating breadth of understanding.

The Guardian - Opinion

The resulting portraits are remarkable for their empathic leaps, their breadth of understanding.

The New York Times - Arts

But Friel's diverse output, spanning a 50-year period, was bound together by his passion for language, his belief in the ritualistic nature of theatre and his breadth of understanding.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a breadth of understanding" to emphasize a wide range of knowledge rather than deep expertise in a specific area. This is useful when describing the qualities needed for interdisciplinary roles or leadership positions.

Common error

Avoid using "a breadth of understanding" when you actually mean a deep or specialized knowledge. Breadth implies a wide overview, while depth suggests detailed expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a breadth of understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the extent of someone's knowledge across a range of subjects. Ludwig confirms its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a breadth of understanding" is a noun phrase used to describe a wide-ranging knowledge across various subjects, as indicated by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and frequently used in news, science, and academic contexts. The phrase emphasizes general knowledge rather than deep expertise. Ludwig's analysis highlights its function in conveying comprehensive knowledge, its neutral to formal register, and its frequent occurrence in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. Related phrases include "a comprehensive grasp" and "a wide scope of knowledge", offering alternative ways to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A comprehensive grasp

Emphasizes thoroughness and completeness in understanding.

A wide scope of knowledge

Highlights the extensive range of information known.

A broad perspective

Focuses on having a wide-ranging viewpoint rather than just knowledge.

An extensive awareness

Stresses the level of consciousness and familiarity with a subject.

A holistic view

Implies understanding something as a whole with interconnected parts.

A well-rounded knowledge base

Highlights the balance and diversity within one's knowledge.

A general appreciation

Suggests a basic but wide understanding without deep expertise.

A panoramic insight

Conveys a sweeping and comprehensive understanding.

A cross-disciplinary understanding

Focuses on understanding across multiple fields of study.

A multifaceted comprehension

Emphasizes understanding something from many different angles.

FAQs

How can I use "a breadth of understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "a breadth of understanding" to describe someone's comprehensive knowledge in various areas. For example, "Her experience in different departments gave her a breadth of understanding of the company's operations".

What are some alternatives to "a breadth of understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "a comprehensive grasp", "a wide scope of knowledge", or "a broad perspective" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to have "a breadth of understanding" or a "depth of understanding"?

It depends on the situation. "A breadth of understanding" is valuable for roles requiring interdisciplinary knowledge or general oversight, while a "depth of understanding" is essential for specialized positions requiring expertise.

What does it mean to have "a breadth of understanding" in a particular subject?

Having "a breadth of understanding" in a subject means possessing a general knowledge of its various aspects, rather than deep expertise in a specific area. It implies a well-rounded comprehension.