a comprehensive idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a comprehensive idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an idea that is thorough and covers all necessary aspects of a topic. Example: "The presentation provided a comprehensive idea of the project's scope and objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"We're doing an investigation and when we get everyone's testimony we hope to have a comprehensive idea of just what happened".

The New York Times

They will also be known to interested members of the public and the artistic community because they will have bodies of work behind them that give a comprehensive idea of where they're coming from.

The Guardian

Later, he becomes fixated on the Voyager spacecraft and the so-called Golden Record — a gold disk that captured many sounds of the world, an aural time capsule sent into space in 1977 to give aliens a comprehensive idea of human life.

The New Yorker

Nussbaum, for example, begins with a comprehensive idea of the good to guide justice.

SEP

Based on the findings of the simulations, an economic evaluation of the different hybrid configurations can be conducted to obtain a comprehensive idea of the options that occur when the hybridisation of diesel hydraulic railcars is considered.

European Transport Research Review

This paper is basically to get a comprehensive idea about the different scattering mechanisms and their relative strengths in RFeAsO system from the functional dependence of ρ on T in different temperature regions.

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Antigone and Creon are, in this view, rather like pawns in the Hegelian dialectic his theory that thought progresses from a thesis (i.e., an idea), through an antithesis (an idea opposing the original thesis), to a synthesis (a more comprehensive idea that embraces both the thesis and antithesis), which in turn becomes the thesis in a further progression.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We focused our literature research on papers published between 1980 and 2013 since the focus of our work was to get a most comprehensive idea about resistance development over time and to compare our data from Zurich to published data.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Wireless Goodness found these shots, and has a much more comprehensive idea of exactly what's going on with the various circuits then I do.

TechCrunch

Such a method could hopefully acquire the comprehensive idea of a query.

Expert Systems with Applications

The APR does not only include the interest rate it also includes additional fees and charges that can help you get a wider and more comprehensive idea of what all the costs of your loan will be.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a comprehensive idea" when you want to emphasize that your understanding or concept is thorough, complete, and covers all the necessary aspects of the subject. This suggests a deep and well-rounded perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "a comprehensive idea" in situations where a simpler term like "understanding" or "concept" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a comprehensive idea" is that of a noun phrase, where the adjective "comprehensive" modifies the noun "idea". Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a comprehensive idea" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies a thorough and complete understanding of a concept. Ludwig indicates its appropriateness for emphasizing depth and consideration. While not exceptionally common, it's frequently found in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the emphasis on completeness, as simpler terms may suffice in less formal situations. As alternatives, consider phrases like "a complete understanding" or "a thorough concept" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete understanding

Emphasizes the completeness of the understanding.

a thorough concept

Focuses on the depth and detail of the concept.

a holistic view

Highlights the interconnectedness and inclusiveness of the perspective.

an exhaustive notion

Stresses the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of the notion.

a full grasp

Indicates a firm and complete understanding.

a broad perspective

Suggests a wide-ranging and inclusive viewpoint.

a detailed overview

Focuses on providing a thorough and intricate summary.

a sweeping concept

Highlights the expansive and encompassing nature of the concept.

an encompassing idea

Emphasizes the inclusive nature of the idea.

a well-rounded view

Indicates a balanced and complete perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "a comprehensive idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a comprehensive idea" to describe a thorough and complete understanding of a topic. For example, "The report provided "a comprehensive idea" of the project's scope."

What's a good alternative to "a comprehensive idea"?

Alternatives include "a complete understanding", "a thorough concept", or "a holistic view". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a comprehensive idea" or "a general idea"?

"A comprehensive idea" implies a detailed and thorough understanding, while "a general idea" suggests a basic or superficial understanding. Choose the phrase that best reflects the depth of understanding you want to convey.

What is the difference between "a comprehensive idea" and "a comprehensive overview"?

"A comprehensive idea" refers to a complete understanding of a concept, while "a comprehensive overview" implies a complete and detailed summary. The former focuses on the understanding itself, and the latter on a summary or presentation of information.