a wide understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"a wide understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an understanding that covers a broad range of topics, ideas, or opinions. For example: "He has a wide understanding of literature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Therefore, in our global network we are going for a wide understanding of social entrepreneurship.

The Guardian

He has travelled extensively and has a wide understanding of many issues so his conversation is rich and diversified.

The Guardian - Money

He had a wide understanding of the scientific, social and political scene, had strong opinions about them and was always delighted to tell you about them". Deutsch was born Jan . 29 , 1917nto the intollecthel ferment of World War intellectualnd a home where his parents, fermentnd Helene Deutsch, were bofh doctors.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Developing a wide understanding and vision of what's possible and then crystallizing that vision into technology will be the key skill for companies in this era.

Forbes

Through an inductive approach, an extensive literary review about the cultural drivers of innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been carried to gain a wide understanding of CSI.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

An extensive literary review about the cultural drivers that lie under the adoption of innovation and corporate social responsibility has been carried to gain a wide understanding of CSI.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The author's training for Inyangamugayo - gacaca judges - contributes to a wider understanding of the complexity of victims' experiences.

Stanford University

Each book does what science does best: start with a carefully-framed question, and use it as an instrument to expose a wider understanding.

The Guardian

Spelling, Horobin suggests, could be used "as a door to a wider understanding and appreciation of the structure of the English language, its history and its diversity".

The Guardian

As someone who identifies as "lesbian and gender fluid", she encouraged a wider understanding of gender identities outside the traditional binary, the organisation said.

The Guardian

This is the obvious outcome of a wider understanding of legal equality: why should private property be protected while the common wealth of humanity is not?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wide understanding" when you want to emphasize that someone's knowledge or perspective covers a broad range of topics or ideas. For instance, "To be a successful project manager, one must have a wide understanding of people management, accounting and software development."

Common error

Don't use "a wide understanding" when you actually mean a deep or specialized knowledge. A wide understanding suggests a general familiarity across many areas, while deep knowledge indicates expertise in a specific subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wide understanding" functions as a noun phrase, where 'wide' modifies the noun 'understanding'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a comprehensive or broad grasp of a subject or concept. Examples show it used to describe someone's knowledge base.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wide understanding" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a comprehensive grasp of a subject or concept. As Ludwig AI validates, this phrase suggests a general knowledge across multiple areas rather than a deep, specialized knowledge. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academia contexts. While the phrase is not overly common, it is versatile and appropriate for both formal and informal settings. Remember to use "a wide understanding" when you mean a general familiarity with different themes, and avoid it when referring to specialized expertise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad comprehension

Emphasizes the scope and inclusivity of understanding, similar to 'wide' but using a different noun.

a comprehensive grasp

Focuses on the thoroughness and completeness of understanding, suggesting a firm hold on the subject.

an extensive knowledge

Highlights the amount and depth of information known, shifting the focus from understanding to knowledge itself.

a general awareness

Indicates a basic level of understanding across a range of topics, implying less depth than "a wide understanding".

a global perspective

Focuses on understanding issues from an international or holistic viewpoint.

a holistic view

Highlights interconnectedness and the importance of seeing the whole picture.

a multifaceted insight

Emphasizes understanding from many different angles and perspectives.

a deep seated knowledge

Focuses on the profound understanding of a particular topic.

an inclusive overview

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the understanding by summarizing the principal aspects of the issue.

a thorough insight

Emphasizes the meticulous understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wide understanding" to describe someone's comprehensive grasp of various subjects or aspects. For example, "The course aims to provide students with a wide understanding of environmental issues."

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

"A wide understanding" refers to a broad, general knowledge across many topics, while "a deep understanding" signifies thorough, in-depth knowledge of a specific subject.

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

Alternatives to "a wide understanding" include "a broad understanding", "a comprehensive understanding", or "an extensive knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to aim for "a wide understanding" of a subject?

While "a wide understanding" is valuable, it's not always the most appropriate goal. Sometimes, specialized knowledge and expertise are more important. The best approach depends on the specific context and objectives.