a holistic understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"a holistic understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a broad, comprehensive, and all-encompassing understanding or view of something. For example, "This course provides students with a holistic understanding of the cultural history of the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Systems Biology aims for a holistic understanding of biological processes.

The Journal of Logic and Algebraic Programming

Increasing urbanisation and the proliferation of slums require a holistic understanding of the urban metabolism of cities.

Cities

In particular, the voluntary sector has a track record of supporting society's most vulnerable and hard-to-reach people and developing a holistic understanding of that person's circumstances".

The Guardian

This multidimensional approach will lead to a holistic understanding of the requirements that fit into the system development life cycles.

Computers & Security

The executives we talked to said that leaders need a holistic understanding of how a company operates beyond their narrow area of expertise.

Harvard Business Review

Student feedback indicates that this approach makes a holistic understanding of the water cycle more accessible to students.

Environmental Modelling & Software

This includes integrative "multiomics" analysis across genomics, proteomics, and single-cell technologies, as well as quantitative clinical phenotyping, to produce a holistic understanding of immunity.

Stanford University

You'll gain a holistic understanding of how science, technology, policy, finance, and society shape energy, natural resources, and environmental risks and opportunities.

Columbia University

To this end, the goal of my lab is to develop a holistic understanding of the carbon dioxide assimilation process in photosynthetic bacteria.

Harvard University

Overcoming the supply chain challenge involves adopting material accounting methods so that manufacturers can develop a holistic understanding of how materials are sourced and processed.

University of California, Berkeley

During five years at Buchner Bründler Architekten in Basel, Switzerland, where she led design and construction projects, Kral acquired a holistic understanding of the complex processes of building.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a broad and integrated perspective, use "a holistic understanding" to convey a comprehensive grasp of interconnected elements. This emphasizes seeing the whole picture, not just individual parts.

Common error

Avoid using "a holistic understanding" when you simply mean a complete or general understanding. "Holistic" specifically implies interconnectedness and interdependence, not just thoroughness or breadth. For example, if the elements are not related it would be better to use a "complete understanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a holistic understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the type of understanding achieved, emphasizing completeness and interconnectedness. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

Academia

25%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a holistic understanding" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that emphasizes the comprehension of something in its entirety, considering all interconnected parts. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's employed across various contexts, including science, academia, news, and business. When using this phrase, ensure that you are indeed referring to an integrated and comprehensive view, rather than just a complete or general one. Alternatives such as "a comprehensive understanding" or "a full understanding" can be considered depending on the specific nuances needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive understanding

Stresses the breadth and depth of understanding, without necessarily implying integration.

a full understanding

Focuses on completeness of understanding, omitting the aspect of interconnectedness.

a complete understanding

Highlights thoroughness, but does not necessarily imply interconnectedness.

a whole understanding

Highlights the entirety of the subject matter in question, but lacks the connotation of interrelation.

a holistic comprehension

Focuses on intellectual grasp, emphasizing interconnectedness.

a global understanding

Emphasizes the broad, all-encompassing nature of the understanding, rather than the integration of parts.

a holistic interpretation

Highlights a specific way of construing something by considering the big picture.

a holistic appreciation

Shifts the focus to valuing and recognizing the importance of all aspects, not just understanding.

a holistic knowledge

Broader term referring to the possession of integrated information, not just the act of understanding.

a holistic insight

Emphasizes the depth of understanding and intuitive grasp of the whole.

FAQs

How can I develop "a holistic understanding" of a complex topic?

To develop "a holistic understanding", consider all relevant factors and their interconnections. Gather information from diverse sources, analyze relationships, and synthesize insights into a comprehensive view.

What does it mean to have "a holistic understanding" of something?

Having "a holistic understanding" means grasping the entirety of something, including its interconnected parts and their relationships to the whole. It's about seeing the big picture rather than focusing solely on individual elements.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a holistic understanding"?

Use "a holistic understanding" when you want to emphasize the interconnectedness and interdependence of various elements in a system or concept. It's suitable when a comprehensive, integrated perspective is crucial.

What are some alternatives to "a holistic understanding"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a comprehensive understanding", "a full understanding", or "a global understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative has its own subtle difference in meaning.