a simple understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a simple understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a basic or straightforward comprehension of a concept or situation. Example: "After reviewing the material, I believe we have reached a simple understanding of the project's requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"It doesn't have to be complex, just a simple understanding of income and outgoings," he says.

Independent

More often than that, though, it's just about a simple understanding how a plant will fit into the garden environment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

$27 A simple understanding of pain would be this: It's a biological response to injury or disease.

The New York Times

Their robot experiments by poking objects and studying the effect this has on the visual world in order to build a simple understanding of physics.

MIT Technology Review

A simple understanding that, just as there is no free lunch, our nearly universal access to high-quality drinking water and 24/7 effective water management does not come free could go a long way in addressing these challenges.

The New York Times

Despite being empirically designed based on a simple understanding of TCR signaling, T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) have been remarkably successful in treating patients with advanced refractory B cell malignancies.

Trends in Immunology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Some scientists when canvassing these issues of philosophical theology may prefer to call themselves 'agnostics' rather than 'atheists' because they have been over impressed by a generalised philosophical scepticism or by a too simple understanding of Popper's dictum that we can never verify a theory but only refute it.

SEP

All you need is a second-grade reading comprehension and a very simple understanding of statistics.

Vice

Unlike Einstein, King was not a socialist, because he came to a very simple understanding about the philosophies of socialism -- they don't work.

Huffington Post

The great writers are doing what great writers do best, getting out from under a crushingly simple understanding of human affairs.

The New York Times - Books

Thalmic Labs' Myo Armband is predicated on a very simple understanding: that the line between man and machine is becoming more blurred.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, using "a simple understanding" can be effective to indicate a basic grasp of a concept without unnecessary complexity. This is particularly useful in educational or explanatory contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a simple understanding" when the topic requires a more nuanced or detailed comprehension. Oversimplifying complex issues can lead to misunderstandings or inaccurate conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a simple understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig AI indicates its common use in expressing a foundational level of comprehension.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a simple understanding" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a basic level of comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media, and scientific publications, serving to indicate a foundational grasp of a topic. While useful for setting expectations and explaining concepts in accessible terms, it's crucial to avoid oversimplification when a more nuanced understanding is required. Consider alternatives like "a basic understanding" or "a clear understanding" to fine-tune the level of comprehension you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basic understanding

Focuses on the foundational aspect of comprehension, similar to simple.

a clear understanding

Emphasizes the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the comprehension.

an elementary understanding

Highlights the fundamental and introductory nature of the comprehension.

a straightforward understanding

Suggests an uncomplicated and direct comprehension.

a rudimentary understanding

Implies a basic and undeveloped level of comprehension.

a primary understanding

Highlights the initial and fundamental grasp of a subject.

a plain understanding

Emphasizes the lack of complexity and straightforwardness.

a concise understanding

Focuses on the brevity and succinctness of the comprehension.

a superficial understanding

Contrasts with deeper comprehension, implying a surface-level grasp.

a limited understanding

Indicates the constrained or restricted scope of comprehension.

FAQs

How can I use "a simple understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "a simple understanding" to describe a basic level of comprehension, as in "All you need is "a simple understanding" of income and outgoings to manage your budget".

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

You can use alternatives like "a basic understanding", "a clear understanding", or "an elementary understanding" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a simple understanding"?

It's appropriate when describing a foundational or introductory level of knowledge, particularly when communicating with a general audience or explaining a complex topic in accessible terms.

What's the difference between "a simple understanding" and "a deep understanding"?

"A simple understanding" refers to a basic grasp of a subject, while "a deep understanding" implies a more thorough and nuanced comprehension, often involving complex details and interconnections.