a thorough grasp of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thorough grasp of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's deep understanding or comprehensive knowledge of a subject or topic. Example: "To excel in this field, you need a thorough grasp of the fundamental principles of physics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

He is a master musician with a thorough grasp of composition.

The New York Times

Kennedy's homework ritual paid off in a thorough grasp of the issues.

Harvard University

Or it could be understood extravagantly as a thorough grasp of reality and man's place therein.

The Economist

And no understanding of contemporary China can be complete without a thorough grasp of this suppressed community.

The Washington Post

While in Washington, Johnson worked tirelessly on behalf of Kleberg's constituents and quickly developed a thorough grasp of congressional politics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Deep" rather than "broad" experience of opera might help, together with a thorough grasp of music (a word not used in the brief).

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But I think that the person who is motivated to pick up this book at a bookstore would likely possess the proper mindset to gain a fairly thorough grasp of the sciences and the role they play in society.

CBE Life Sciences Education

With a more thorough grasp of what we're saying about the world, Facebook could also answer more of our questions about the world.

HuffPost

With both women, their public persona served as a disguise for a much more thorough grasp of their circumstances than either is given credit for.

The Guardian - Music

Wong's translation is missing from the example as this is translated into an indirect speech (The Patriarch then commended him for his thorough grasp of the motion of 'Birthlessness'), which is not included in our data.

Functional Linguistics

When Vanda compliments him on his thorough grasp of his play and its characters, Thomas makes a telling comment about the elusive nature of self-knowledge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject of the grasp is. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the topic or field immediately after the phrase.

Common error

While "a thorough grasp of" is generally acceptable, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "good understanding of" or "strong knowledge of" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thorough grasp of" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'have', 'require', 'demonstrate'). It indicates the possession of a comprehensive understanding or knowledge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thorough grasp of" is a noun phrase used to describe a comprehensive understanding or knowledge of a subject. Ludwig highlights that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it leans toward a more formal tone, so simpler alternatives may be suitable for casual settings. To ensure clarity, always specify the subject being grasped. By understanding its nuances and contexts, you can effectively use "a thorough grasp of" to convey deep and complete comprehension in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive understanding of

Replaces "grasp" with "understanding" and "thorough" with "comprehensive", emphasizing complete knowledge.

a deep understanding of

Uses "deep" instead of "thorough", highlighting the depth of knowledge rather than its breadth.

a complete understanding of

Substitutes "thorough" with "complete", focusing on the entirety of the knowledge.

a solid understanding of

Replaces "thorough grasp" with "solid understanding", suggesting a firm but perhaps less exhaustive knowledge.

a strong command of

Emphasizes control and expertise in a subject, rather than just understanding.

a firm knowledge of

Replaces "grasp" with "knowledge", suggesting a more factual understanding.

an intimate familiarity with

Highlights a close and personal connection with the subject matter.

a detailed knowledge of

Focuses on the level of detail known about a subject.

a profound insight into

Emphasizes a deeper, more perceptive understanding.

a masterful command of

Similar to 'a strong command', but suggests even greater expertise and skill.

FAQs

How can I use "a thorough grasp of" in a sentence?

Use "a thorough grasp of" to describe someone's comprehensive understanding of a subject. For example, "Success in this role requires a thorough grasp of financial markets".

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

You can use alternatives like "a comprehensive understanding of", "a deep understanding of", or "a solid understanding of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a thorough grasp of" or "a good understanding of"?

"A thorough grasp of" implies a more complete and in-depth understanding than "a good understanding of". The best choice depends on the specific level of comprehension you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a thorough grasp of" and "a strong command of"?

"A thorough grasp of" emphasizes understanding and knowledge, while "a strong command of" suggests expertise and control. "A strong command" implies the ability to apply knowledge effectively.