a broad feel for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broad feel for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a general understanding or awareness of a subject or situation. Example: "After working in the industry for several years, I have developed a broad feel for the market trends and consumer preferences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You don't get a broad feel for the town".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And the field is much broader than that, so the opportunity to get a broader feel for what are the possible directions will certainly help students identify potential jobs," he says.

Science Magazine

A range of styles and techniques are also represented, giving the selection a broad, expansive feel.

The New York Times

Subsequently, the more ethical human phenomena one observes and considers in advanced level learning and cultivation, the more one feels a broad sympathy for others that transcends the narrowly-graded love, the so-called love with distinctions that is attributed to the notion of ren (humaneness) in Confucianism (see Mencius, 1A.7, 3A.5, and 7A.45).

SEP

Updated at 2.35am GMT 2.11am GMT TEA 2.11am GMT 83rd over: England 176-6 (in reply to 443; Root 37, Broad 0) Root has a feel for a delivery from Boult that moves past the edge.

The Guardian - Sport

For all his exterior calm amid these problems -- and his habit of wading down the Pentagon's corridors with a sheaf of papers and a broad smile for passersby -- Gates felt immense pressure and occasionally admitted to it.

Huffington Post

"Mandela's" traditional approach will likely appeal to older academy members who appreciate uplifting, message-driven biopics like "Gandhi" and history-skimmers such as "The Iron Lady" and "Ray," movies that give you a feel for the broad sweep of the title character without much messy nuance or detail.

Los Angeles Times

Sandy had a broad tolerance for catastrophe.

Vice

Iraq, if nothing else, prompts a broad desire to feel united about something.

The New York Times

As in the collages, you get a feel for Reinhardt's broad-spectrum knowledge and curiosity, his wit, his love of puns, visual as well verbal, and his appetite for absurdity.

The New York Times - Arts

"I was a broad for a year.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a broad feel for" when you want to convey a sense of having a general understanding of something without necessarily possessing detailed expertise. It's suitable for describing impressions or overall assessments.

Common error

Avoid using "a broad feel for" when you need to demonstrate specific, in-depth expertise. This phrase implies a general sense, not a mastery of details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad feel for" functions as a noun phrase that signifies a general understanding or awareness of something. It describes a subjective sense of familiarity or comprehension, as supported by examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a broad feel for" is a correct and usable expression signifying a general understanding or awareness. Ludwig's analysis indicates it functions as a noun phrase, serving to convey a basic grasp of a subject without requiring detailed expertise. While commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it maintains a generally neutral register. Alternative phrases, such as "a general sense of" or "a wide understanding of", can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use this phrase when describing overall impressions rather than specific, in-depth knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a general sense of

Focuses on the overall impression or awareness rather than a deep understanding.

a wide understanding of

Emphasizes the breadth of knowledge or comprehension.

a comprehensive grasp of

Suggests a thorough and complete understanding.

an intuitive understanding of

Highlights an understanding based on instinct rather than explicit knowledge.

a familiarity with

Indicates a state of being acquainted with something, but not necessarily a deep understanding.

a working knowledge of

Implies enough understanding to use something effectively.

an overview of

Suggests a brief or general summary of a topic.

a basic understanding of

Highlights a foundational level of comprehension.

a feel for the pulse of

Emphasizes the ability to sense the current trends or mood.

a macroscopic view of

Highlights a broad, overall perspective, often used in technical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "a broad feel for" in a sentence?

You can use "a broad feel for" to describe a general understanding or awareness. For example, "After years in the industry, I have a broad feel for market trends".

What's a good alternative to "a broad feel for"?

Alternatives include "a general sense of", "a wide understanding of", or "an intuitive understanding of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a broad feel for" formal or informal?

"A broad feel for" is suitable for both neutral and informal contexts. For formal situations, consider using "a comprehensive grasp of" or "a wide understanding of".

How does "a broad feel for" differ from "detailed knowledge of"?

"A broad feel for" implies a general sense or awareness, while "detailed knowledge of" indicates in-depth expertise and specific understanding. The former is about having an overview, the latter about mastering specifics.