a reasonable grasp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable grasp" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a satisfactory understanding or comprehension of a subject or concept. Example: "After completing the course, I feel I have a reasonable grasp of the fundamental principles of economics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A reasonable grasp of certain aspects of the law is also essential when it comes to renting a property.

The Guardian - Money

He named these people "ideologues," by which he meant not that they are fanatics but that they have a reasonable grasp of "what goes with what" — of how a set of opinions adds up to a coherent political philosophy.

The New Yorker

The next day, he interviewed a deputy mayor of Malmö, who appeared to have a reasonable grasp on the relevant crime statistics and a plausible explanation for the city's recent spike in murders.

The New Yorker

Monstrously egotistical and surrounded by adulation, he nevertheless kept a reasonable grasp on the possible; forever taking false steps in politics, he emerged essentially unbeaten and superficially successful in nearly everything he attempted to do. Henry VIII has always seemed the very embodiment of true monarchy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Maimon does seem to have had a genuine appreciation for Mendelssohn, both because of his kindheartedness and because, unlike most others of the circles of the Jewish Enlightenment, Mendelssohn had a reasonable grasp of the Talmud and rabbinic literature.

SEP

In this initial study, it was found that even in a sample of well-educated museum-going adults, not one visitor invoked the evolutionary reasoning pattern for all seven organisms, and overall, just over a third of the sample (38%) demonstrated a reasonable grasp of evolutionary concepts.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Here's a modest proposal: what if the government took it on board to promote a reasonable, sane grasp of risk, security, and probability?

The Guardian - Tech

The court ruled that a reasonable person would have grasped the connection between the symptoms and the abuse much sooner.

The New York Times

A gradual change between kinetic mechanisms was grasped with a reasonable inter-dependency of the kinetic parameters.

Chemical Engineering Science

We show that our algorithm, although making use of such rather simple constraints, is able to grasp objects with a reasonable success rate in rather complex environments (i.e., cluttered scenes with multiple objects).

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

With a reasonable length freed as in #4, grasp the sealant bead with the pliers and pull GENTLY, using the utility knife to free any stick spots.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a reasonable grasp", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject or concept being understood. For example, "a reasonable grasp of the company's financial statements".

Common error

Avoid using "a reasonable grasp" when describing expert-level knowledge. Reserve it for situations where the understanding is satisfactory but not comprehensive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable grasp" functions as a noun phrase, where "reasonable" modifies the noun "grasp". It is typically used to indicate a satisfactory, but not necessarily expert, level of understanding or comprehension of a particular subject or topic. Ludwig AI suggests it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a reasonable grasp" is a useful way to describe a satisfactory, but not necessarily comprehensive, understanding of a subject. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, consider whether "a solid understanding" or "a fair understanding" might be more appropriate depending on the specific level of comprehension you want to convey. Avoid overstating someone's knowledge by using "a reasonable grasp" when a more in-depth understanding is implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solid understanding

Replaces "reasonable grasp" with "solid understanding", emphasizing the firmness and reliability of the understanding.

a good command

Substitutes "reasonable grasp" with "good command", highlighting control and proficiency in a subject.

a fair understanding

Uses "fair understanding" in place of "reasonable grasp", suggesting an adequate level of comprehension.

a working knowledge

Replaces "reasonable grasp" with "working knowledge", emphasizing practical understanding and ability to use information.

a basic comprehension

Substitutes "reasonable grasp" with "basic comprehension", indicating a fundamental level of understanding.

a decent understanding

Uses "decent understanding" instead of "reasonable grasp", suggesting an acceptable level of knowledge.

a moderate understanding

Replaces "reasonable grasp" with "moderate understanding", indicating an average or medium level of comprehension.

a sufficient knowledge

Substitutes "reasonable grasp" with "sufficient knowledge", highlighting adequacy for a specific purpose.

a passable understanding

Uses "passable understanding" instead of "reasonable grasp", implying a barely adequate level of comprehension.

an adequate understanding

Replaces "reasonable grasp" with "adequate understanding", suggesting it meets the minimum requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "a reasonable grasp" in a sentence?

You can use "a reasonable grasp" to describe someone's understanding of a subject. For example: "After the course, she had a reasonable grasp of the basics."

What can I say instead of "a reasonable grasp"?

You can use alternatives like "a solid understanding", "a good command", or "a fair understanding depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a reasonable grasp" or "a comprehensive understanding"?

"A reasonable grasp" implies a basic or satisfactory understanding, while "a comprehensive understanding" suggests a thorough and complete knowledge. Choose the phrase that best reflects the level of understanding you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a reasonable grasp" and "a basic understanding"?

While both phrases suggest a non-expert level of knowledge, "a reasonable grasp" often implies a slightly better level of understanding than "a basic understanding". "a basic understanding" indicates a fundamental knowledge, while "a reasonable grasp" suggests a working knowledge or a decent level of comprehension.