a holistic understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a holistic understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a comprehensive or all-encompassing grasp of a subject or concept. Example: "To effectively address climate change, we need a holistic understanding of its social, economic, and environmental impacts."

✓ 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

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

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

Computers & Security

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 to convey a comprehensive perspective, use "a holistic understanding of" to underscore the interconnectedness of elements within the subject matter. It's particularly effective in fields like systems biology, urban planning, and healthcare where interdependencies are crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "holistic understanding" as a buzzword. Ensure that the context genuinely requires a comprehensive, interconnected view; otherwise, a simpler term like "complete understanding" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a holistic understanding of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a comprehensive and interconnected comprehension of a subject, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

Academia

25%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a holistic understanding of" signifies a comprehensive and interconnected grasp of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, particularly in science and academia. When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely benefits from emphasizing the interconnectedness of elements. For alternative phrasing, consider "a comprehensive understanding of" or "an integrated perspective on". The phrase's prevalence and authoritative sources underscore its value in conveying thorough and well-rounded comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive understanding of

Replaces "holistic" with "comprehensive", emphasizing thoroughness and completeness.

a complete grasp of

Focuses on the idea of fully seizing and understanding something.

a thorough knowledge of

Emphasizes the depth and extent of knowledge.

an integrated perspective on

Highlights the combination of different elements into a unified viewpoint.

an all-encompassing view of

Stresses the inclusion of everything relevant.

a broad overview of

Suggests a wide-ranging but perhaps less detailed understanding.

a systemic awareness of

Highlights the understanding of a system and its interconnected parts.

a global perspective on

Emphasizes a worldwide view, considering all relevant aspects.

an inclusive insight into

Highlights the inclusion of various perspectives to provide better understanding.

a unified comprehension of

Underlines a singular and cohesive understanding.

FAQs

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

Use "a holistic understanding of" to describe a comprehensive and interconnected view of a subject. For example, "Effective environmental policy requires "a holistic understanding of" ecological systems, economic factors, and social impacts".

What phrases are similar to "a holistic understanding of"?

Similar phrases include "a comprehensive understanding of", "a complete grasp of", and "an integrated perspective on", each emphasizing thoroughness and interconnectedness in understanding.

Is it better to say "holistic understanding" or "complete understanding"?

"Holistic understanding" emphasizes interconnectedness and the system as a whole, while "complete understanding" simply indicates a thorough grasp. Use "holistic" when the relationships between parts are crucial to the understanding.

What does "holistic" really mean in "a holistic understanding of"?

In this context, "holistic" refers to understanding something as a whole, where all parts are interconnected and interdependent. It means considering the entire system, not just individual components.