basic insight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic insight" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when trying to refer to a fundamental understanding of something. For example, "His basic insight into the workings of the market made him a successful investor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From there it is but a short step to dismissing a basic insight of the Enlightenment, namely that human judgment and decisions are fallible by their very nature.

The New York Times - Arts

But I do agree with his basic insight: Conflict-of-interest accusations have become the simplest strategy for avoiding a substantive debate.

The New York Times - Science

This basic insight is not new.

The Washington Post

Here again the basic insight is surely sound.

The Guardian - Books

This is the basic insight that followed from Markowitz.

Yale University

Surprisingly, though, the basic insight of Augustinian theodicy finds support in recent science.

The Guardian - Opinion

The basic insight of sociolinguistics was that social relationships affect the way we speak.

The Guardian - Opinion

This basic insight gives Spinoza's philosophy its religious and ethical character.

The Guardian - Opinion

The bigger point here is the most basic insight of welfare economics.

The Guardian - Books

The theoretical study would provide some basic insight for the novel photochromic molecular design.

Journal of Molecular Structure: THEOCHEM

For surely it falls to all of us to recapture the basic insight that Dr. King so insistently expounded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "basic insight" to introduce a fundamental concept or understanding that is crucial for the audience to grasp before delving into more complex details. This ensures a solid foundation for further learning or discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "basic insight" when referring to extremely obvious or self-evident concepts. This can make your writing sound redundant or condescending. Instead, reserve this phrase for ideas that require some level of explanation or have deeper implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic insight" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It introduces a fundamental understanding or key concept, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

29%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "basic insight" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to introduce a core, fundamental understanding. Ludwig confirms its presence across various domains, primarily in news, academic, and scientific contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When writing, use "basic insight" to introduce foundational concepts, but avoid overuse in simplistic contexts. Alternatives such as "fundamental understanding" or "core concept" can provide nuanced variations. Given Ludwig AI's analysis, this phrase is a reliable choice for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential idea

Highlights the importance of the idea, providing a more direct synonym.

fundamental understanding

Replaces "insight" with a more descriptive noun, highlighting the depth of comprehension.

core concept

Focuses on the essential idea, simplifying the expression.

key realization

Emphasizes the moment of understanding, altering the focus slightly.

primary notion

Uses a more formal synonym for "idea", increasing formality.

foundational principle

Shifts the context to a guiding rule or tenet.

underlying premise

Emphasizes the assumed basis for reasoning.

central tenet

Highlights a core belief or doctrine.

starting point

Focuses on where an analysis or understanding begins.

initial perception

Highlights the first impression or awareness.

FAQs

How can I use "basic insight" in a sentence?

You can use "basic insight" to introduce a core concept or fundamental understanding, such as, "The "basic insight" of economics is that resources are scarce".

What are some alternatives to "basic insight"?

Alternatives include "fundamental understanding", "core concept", or "essential idea", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a basic insight" or simply "basic insight"?

Both are grammatically correct, but using "a basic insight" is more common when referring to a specific instance of understanding. "Basic insight" without the article can be used to refer to the general concept.

What is the difference between "basic insight" and "common knowledge"?

"Basic insight" refers to a fundamental understanding that may not be immediately obvious, while "common knowledge" refers to facts or understandings that are widely known and accepted. A "basic insight" might lead to common knowledge over time.