an introduction to how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an introduction to how" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to present a preliminary overview or explanation of a process or method. Example: "This document serves as an introduction to how we can improve our marketing strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

As an introduction to how to read, and why we read, it is a remarkable success.

Independent

Both a memoir and an introduction to how genetics are increasingly informing our decisions, Blood Matters holds the reader's attention.

The Guardian - Books

"The Wallcreeper" possesses an unimprovable opening sentence — "I was looking at the map when Stephen swerved, hit the rock, and occasioned the miscarriage" — which doubles as an introduction to how it feels to read Zink: swerve! crash!

The New Yorker

But elements of Marcus's distinctive style edge in, almost as if the reader were being given an introduction to how to read his work under the guise of Franzen-eque issues and emotional alienation.

The Guardian - Books

The only required courses are composition and public speaking, along with a seminar that Brother Kenneth Cardwell, the school's dean, refers to as "an introduction to how to talk reasonably to people your own age about matters of common concern".

The New York Times

As charming as Cooke's tribute to the powers and simple pleasures of love may be, this song more importantly provides an introduction to how much there is to learn in this life: history, biology, French, geography, trigonometry … Even the lovestruck Cooke concedes that knowledge is power: "Maybe by being an A student, baby, I can win your love for me," he sings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Gospic also recommends one of her heroes M.D. Oliver Sack's (1985) revolutionary book The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat as a great introduction to how the brain works.

Huffington Post

Though many students will not use Wormbase in the future, exploring it was an appropriate introduction to how data on model system databases are organized and accessed.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Although he knows that is an exaggeration, it serves as a catchy introduction to how his institute is trying to reshape the tangled global debate over the role of genetic engineering in agricultural biotechnology.

The New York Times - Science

College courses do provide a good introduction to how to use a computer program, but the real issue is knowing what to draw.

The New York Times

For example, the book "Numerical Recipes in Fortran" is both a good text on scientific programming algorithms and a good introduction to how to put together codes.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an introduction to how", ensure that the subsequent explanation is clear, concise, and easy to follow, acting as a genuine starting point for understanding a subject.

Common error

Avoid making the content following "an introduction to how" too complex or detailed. This phrase implies a basic understanding, so keep the explanation accessible to beginners.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an introduction to how" functions as a noun phrase that introduces and sets the stage for an explanation or description of a process, method, or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to provide a preliminary understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an introduction to how" is a phrase used to preface a basic explanation of a process or concept. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage. It's versatile across various registers, though it tends to appear more frequently in scientific and news-related contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subsequent explanation remains accessible and avoids excessive complexity. Alternatives like ""a primer on how"" or ""a basic overview of how"" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. The goal is to provide foundational knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primer on how

Replaces 'introduction' with 'primer', suggesting a more basic and fundamental explanation.

a guide to understanding how

Adds 'understanding' to emphasize comprehension, framing it as a guide.

an initial explanation of how

Substitutes 'introduction' with 'initial explanation', highlighting the preliminary nature.

a basic overview of how

Uses 'overview' instead of 'introduction', indicating a summary approach.

a preliminary discourse on how

Replaces 'introduction' with 'preliminary discourse', suggesting a more formal and elaborate discussion.

an elementary exposition of how

Employs 'exposition' to convey a detailed explanation of a process.

the fundamentals of how

Focuses on the core elements by using 'fundamentals'.

the basics of how

Similar to 'fundamentals' but implies an even simpler explanation.

a starting point for how

Highlights the phrase as a beginning or entry point for learning.

a first look at how

Emphasizes the initial and exploratory nature of the explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "an introduction to how" in a sentence?

You can use "an introduction to how" to preface an explanation of a process or concept. For example, "This chapter provides an introduction to how neural networks function."

What are some alternatives to "an introduction to how"?

Alternatives include "a primer on how", "a guide to understanding how", or "a basic overview of how" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "an introduction to how" or "how to"?

"An introduction to how" is typically used to provide background or context, while "how to" is more direct and instructional. For example, "an introduction to how ecosystems function" versus "how to build a birdhouse."

When is "an introduction to how" most appropriate?

It's best used when the goal is to provide a foundational understanding rather than a step-by-step guide. It sets the stage for more detailed learning.