The phrase "an initial understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a preliminary or basic comprehension of a topic or situation before further exploration or analysis.
Example: "Before diving deeper into the subject, we should establish an initial understanding of the key concepts involved."
Alternatives: "a preliminary grasp" or "a basic comprehension".
We have now an initial understanding of what a state of affairs is.
Second, this study provides an initial understanding of guidelines for course design using Web-based technologies.
The results provide an initial understanding of how these factors affect selection performance.
A consideration of ten contrasting attributes will best facilitate an initial understanding of Hartshorne's view of God.
In doing so, we gain an initial understanding of the breadth and depth of the Semantic Web in the geosciences.
If we want an initial understanding of value-for-money, we might look at what an alternative provider charges for a similar product.
Last Friday, state officials sent letters to the six bidders asking that they submit their final offers for Aqueduct by this Friday, along with an unconditional commitment to provide a licensing fee of at least $200 million within 30 days of signing an initial agreement, or memorandum of understanding.
Specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice with extremely diverse undefined microbiotas have helped to gain an important initial understanding of the importance of the microbiota composition in a variety of disease models.
In fact, a study by Ahopelto et al. (2011) indicated that students with a moderate initial understanding appeared resistant to learning, leading the investigators to interpret that "an illusion of understanding" may have come into play.
For example, they are often used to provide a profound initial understanding of the problem that can then be complemented by quantitative approaches that incorporate the learning into a more realistic and sophisticated quantitative analysis [ 6].
While developing initial understanding of a software system, incorrect information is the biggest concern.
