broad understandings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad understandings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to general or extensive knowledge or insights about a particular subject or topic. Example: "The conference aimed to foster broad understandings of climate change and its global impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Meanwhile, even as the lawmakers who are part of this conference committee said they could come to some broad understandings, advocates said the slate of issues is far too narrow for the problems plaguing Albany's budget-making process.

The New York Times

Yet, over five or so contentious sessions, the lawmakers have come to what Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell Jr., the Democratic co-chairman of the committee, described as some broad understandings.

The New York Times

All the research participants held broad understandings of NCDs which encompassed their social as well as their biological lives.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Schary gave him a broad, understanding grin.

The New Yorker

From this sort of broad understanding may someday come more effective monetary policy.

The New York Times

Having a broad understanding of this history has helped me quickly see the significance of Nash's contribution.

The Guardian

Obama encouraged Howard graduates to "be confident in [their] blackness" and to embrace a broad understanding of racial authenticity.

The Guardian

Only in Britain is a broad understanding of your nation's past regarded as anti-European, if not downright racist.

The Guardian

From the beginning, Peekskill, a city of about 24,400, had a broad understanding of the term artist.

The New York Times

That workers take on multiple roles also means that they have a broad understanding of the business, he adds.

The Guardian

Over dinner, the regulators reached a broad understanding about their responsibilities and the goals of the inquiry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broad understandings" when you want to emphasize that the knowledge or insights are general and cover a wide range of aspects within a particular subject.

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessive use of "broad understandings" can dilute the impact of your writing. In more formal or academic settings, consider using stronger synonyms like "comprehensive grasp" or "thorough comprehension" for enhanced precision and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad understandings" functions as a noun phrase, where "broad" modifies the noun "understandings". It indicates a general or wide-ranging comprehension of a subject, concept, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "broad understandings" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that refers to general or wide-ranging comprehension. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is relatively rare in usage. The phrase is suitable for neutral registers and appears in both news media and scientific contexts. For more formal situations, synonyms like "comprehensive grasp" may be more appropriate. Use "broad understandings" when you wish to convey a general understanding, rather than detailed expertise. Although it is grammatically correct, you can sometimes use stronger synonyms to convey the nuances you want in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehensive grasp

Emphasizes a complete and thorough understanding.

extensive knowledge

Highlights the vast amount of information known.

thorough comprehension

Focuses on a deep and complete understanding.

general awareness

Suggests a basic understanding across a wide area.

wide-ranging insights

Highlights diverse and extensive perspectives.

holistic perception

Implies understanding the interconnectedness of elements.

global perspective

Suggests an understanding that encompasses a large scale or scope.

sweeping overview

Indicates a comprehensive but less detailed understanding.

overarching knowledge

Emphasizes a top-level and inclusive understanding.

inclusive insights

Highlights the consideration of many viewpoints for reaching the understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "broad understandings" in a sentence?

You can use "broad understandings" to describe general knowledge or insights about a topic. For example, "The aim of the workshop was to develop "broad understandings" of the challenges facing the industry."

What are some alternatives to "broad understandings"?

Alternatives include "comprehensive grasp", "extensive knowledge", or "general awareness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "broad understanding" or "broad understandings"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "broad understanding" is used when referring to a general concept or singular comprehension, while "broad understandings" refers to multiple or diverse insights. Choose based on whether you're referring to one unified understanding or several distinct but related understandings.

What's the difference between "broad understandings" and "detailed knowledge"?

"Broad understandings" suggest a general overview without deep specifics, while "detailed knowledge" implies expertise and in-depth understanding of particular aspects. For example, one may have "broad understandings" of history, but possess "detailed knowledge" of a specific historical period.