an initial idea of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial idea of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing a preliminary concept or thought about a subject or topic. Example: "Before we dive deeper into the project, I would like to share an initial idea of how we can approach the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"These figures give us an initial idea of the effects of losing full access to the single market in financial services.

The Guardian

To ask someone where he/she is born with the purpose of gaining an initial idea of what public identity he/she holds is not as self-evident as it was in the past.

Comparative Migration Studies

Having used the internet to conduct content text analysis, inserting our findings into a MIT SIMILE software package to visualise the data sets and seeking comments from recent graduates to verify our initial findings, it has been possible to attain an initial idea of the actual employability discourse within higher education in the UK and USA.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

The after-matching standardized differences for the outcomes (LOS, re-hospitalization rate, mortality and expenditure) in Table  1 give an initial idea of the size and the sign of the impact that we measure more precisely below.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Just getting from an initial idea to the start of the animal-testing phase typically takes four to six years, Radin noted.

Forbes

But something remarkable happens when Ono's manuscript is placed alongside her paintings and sculptures: at last, we have a chance to see the continuum of Fluxus-era artistic practice in full, incorporating everything from an initial idea to the provisional executions of that same thought.

The New Yorker

This Commission grew out of an initial idea that a group of us developed more than three years ago.

University of Chicago

In this circumstance, a lot of works are still necessary to identify novel dual HDAC-8/MMP-2 inhibitors and this review will surely provide an initial idea regarding the utility of designing such type of dual inhibitors.

Pharmacological Research

Nevertheless, to give an initial idea about the influence of the mean μ and the volatility σ, we have produced a set of graphs in Fig. 7. Motivated by a real problem, we have proposed a general two-period pricing model and explored various pricing strategies from the seller's perspective.

Journal of Statistical Distributions and Applications

By examining the articles that result in alerts the reviewers could get a better initial idea of the quantity and quality of new information pertinent to an SR before actually scheduling or conducting the review update.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

And from that I had the initial idea of a man having a relationship with an artificial intelligence program.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing the phrase in formal writing; consider alternatives like "preliminary understanding" or "early concept" for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid treating "an initial idea of" something as the definitive or complete understanding. This phrase inherently suggests a starting point, not an endpoint. Ensure your writing reflects that further development or investigation is expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial idea of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, providing context about the preliminary nature of an idea or understanding. It signals that the concept is not yet fully developed or comprehensive. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial idea of" serves as a useful phrase to introduce a preliminary concept or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and appears in various contexts like science, news, and academia. While generally acceptable, more formal settings may benefit from stronger synonyms like "preliminary assessment" or "early conceptualization". Remember that this phrase indicates a starting point, so avoid treating it as the final conclusion. By using "an initial idea of" appropriately, you can effectively communicate the developing nature of your thoughts and encourage further exploration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary understanding of

Emphasizes the early and not fully developed nature of the understanding.

an early concept of

Highlights the nascent stage of the idea.

a basic grasp of

Highlights a simple and fundamental understanding.

a starting point for understanding

Focuses on the idea as a foundation for further comprehension.

a general sense of

Implies a broad and not necessarily detailed understanding.

a first impression of

Indicates an initial feeling or sense derived from something.

a tentative view of

Indicates a provisional and subject-to-change understanding.

a rough notion of

Suggests an imprecise or approximate understanding.

a rudimentary knowledge of

Emphasizes the basic and underdeveloped nature of the knowledge.

a glimpse into

Suggests a brief and partial view or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "an initial idea of" in a sentence?

You can use "an initial idea of" to introduce a preliminary concept or understanding. For example: "This research provides "an initial idea of" the potential impact of the policy."

What are some alternatives to "an initial idea of"?

Alternatives include "a preliminary understanding of", "a basic grasp of", or "an early concept of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an initial idea of" in formal writing?

Yes, but consider more formal alternatives like "preliminary assessment" or "early conceptualization" for greater precision and formality.

How does "an initial idea of" differ from a comprehensive understanding?

"An initial idea of" suggests a starting point, while a comprehensive understanding implies a thorough and complete knowledge of the subject. The former is tentative, whereas the latter is definitive.