a fundamental understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fundamental understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the essential knowledge or comprehension of a particular subject or concept. Example: "To excel in this field, one must have a fundamental understanding of the underlying principles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Provides a fundamental understanding of x-ray scattering and diffraction.

Stanford University

A fundamental understanding of the C4 network is thus needed.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology

In the pit, Carlo Rizzi showed a fundamental understanding of the music's lushness.

The New York Times - Arts

Most organizational practices are not grounded in a fundamental understanding of how people learn.

Harvard Business Review

Human beings have a fundamental understanding of fidelity not through conceptual analysis but through experience.

Britannica

As a result, we lack a fundamental understanding of how complex displays work12,13.

Nature

Research and teaching focuses on a fundamental understanding of biomedical engineering problems.

Yale University

The Biomechanical Engineering major provides a fundamental understanding of mechanics in fields of biology and medicine.

Stanford University

Research and teaching focuses on a fundamental understanding of mechanical engineering and materials science problems.

Yale University

This shyness bred an extraordinary lack of ego and with it a fundamental understanding of the predatory nature of photography.

The Guardian - Arts

Often feminist blogs are speaking to individuals who possess a fundamental understanding of the points you make.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, ensure that your audience possesses "a fundamental understanding of" any prerequisite concepts before introducing advanced topics.

Common error

Avoid assuming that your audience has "a fundamental understanding of" a topic. Always provide necessary background information or definitions to ensure comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental understanding of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It highlights the necessity of having a foundational knowledge base for a specific subject, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

Academia

27%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fundamental understanding of" is a widely used noun phrase that stresses the importance of essential knowledge in a particular domain. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts such as science, academia, and news. It serves to highlight the foundational knowledge required for comprehension and further exploration of a subject. Closely related alternatives include "a substantive understanding of" and "a foundational understanding of", each providing a slightly different emphasis. When writing, ensure you don't overestimate your audience's existing knowledge of core concepts, and always aim for clarity by defining key terms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental comprehension of

Synonymous, with emphasis on the mental grasp of a subject.

a foundational understanding of

Implies that the understanding serves as a base for further learning or development.

a substantive understanding of

Emphasizes a deep and significant level of understanding.

a crucial understanding of

Emphasizes the importance and necessity of the understanding.

a significant understanding of

Highlights that the understanding is noteworthy or important.

a fundamental appreciation of

Highlights an understanding that also involves valuing or recognizing the importance of something.

a critical understanding of

Implies a comprehensive understanding that includes analysis and evaluation.

a fundamental knowledge of

Focuses on possessing essential information about a subject.

a basic understanding of

Refers to a simpler, less detailed level of comprehension.

a fundamental insight of

Suggests a sudden realization or deep comprehension of something.

FAQs

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

Use "a fundamental understanding of" to describe a necessary base level of knowledge for a specific topic. For example, "A successful engineer needs a fundamental understanding of physics".

What's the difference between "a fundamental understanding of" and "a basic understanding of"?

"A fundamental understanding of" implies a deeper, more essential grasp of the core principles, while "a basic understanding of" suggests a more introductory level of knowledge.

What can I say instead of "a fundamental understanding of"?

You can use alternatives like "a solid grasp of", "a firm knowledge of", or "a thorough comprehension of" depending on the context.

Why is "a fundamental understanding of" important?

"A fundamental understanding of" a subject is crucial for building expertise and making informed decisions. Without it, further learning or application may be flawed or ineffective.