broadly understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broadly understand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey a general comprehension of a topic without going into specific details. Example: "While I don't know all the intricacies, I can broadly understand the main concepts of the theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Thirty years on, this remains an elusive goal, chiefly because of the most crucial ingredient in the success of the new standards: an understanding of whom the truth is supposed to benefit.Outside China, companies broadly understand that they owe their primary duty of care to their investors.

The Economist

In fact, we can broadly understand the evolution of the second world war movie as a process of redefining the war's meaning.

The Guardian - Film

It is critical to broadly understand local conditions and sustainable biofuels implementation before determining development options specific to different biophysical, environmental, societal and power settings.

Journal of Cleaner Production

The goal of the new rule is to help consumers more broadly understand how their credit reports are used, and encourage them to identify any errors and request to have them fixed, Ms. Foster said.

The New York Times

At the same time, many Democrats have cautioned against embracing anger as an organizing principle, suggesting that harnessing disdain for Mr. Trump is workable only if voters also broadly understand what the party stands for.

The New York Times

Based on their experience, age, tenure, and other factors, directors typically have varying levels of tech fluency, defined as the ability to broadly understand and confidently discuss technology concepts.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The Peace Prize has often been broadly understood; children's rights fits well into its mandate of increasing understanding between nations.

The New Yorker

At M.I.T., hacking, broadly understood, was a tradition.

The New Yorker

Ernesto Dal Bó is a political economist interested in governance broadly understood.

University of California, Berkeley

The alternative to carnal passion, broadly understood, is a passion for money.

The New York Times - Books

Afghanistan has long been a land of invisible but broadly understood boundaries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broadly understand" when you want to convey a general comprehension of a subject, rather than a detailed or expert-level understanding. For example, "I don't need to be an expert; I just need to broadly understand the risks involved."

Common error

Avoid using "broadly understand" when you actually possess in-depth knowledge. Using it when you have detailed understanding might undermine your expertise. Be sure the word choice reflects the true level of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broadly understand" functions as a verb phrase indicating a general level of comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used when expressing a non-expert understanding of a particular subject, where the subtleties of the topic are not completely known.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43.75%

Academia

25%

Science

31.25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6.25%

Formal & Business

6.25%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broadly understand" is a useful phrase for expressing a general comprehension of a topic, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It signals a working knowledge without implying expertise. The phrase is commonly used in News & Media, academic and scientific contexts, and maintains a neutral register appropriate for various professional settings. To ensure correct usage, avoid using it if you possess in-depth knowledge, as it may understate your expertise. Use alternative phrasing such as "generally grasp" or "have a general understanding of" when seeking synonymous expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally grasp

Emphasizes a general hold on the subject, implying a less detailed understanding.

have a general understanding of

Highlights possessing an overall comprehension without specific details.

roughly comprehend

Suggests an approximate understanding, possibly lacking precision.

basically know

Implies a fundamental awareness, potentially without in-depth knowledge.

have a rudimentary knowledge of

Conveys a basic, elementary level of understanding.

grasp the essentials of

Focuses on understanding the most important aspects of a topic.

have a superficial acquaintance with

Indicates a shallow or surface-level understanding.

be vaguely familiar with

Implies a slight or indistinct awareness.

gather the gist of

Focuses on extracting the main idea or essence.

get the overall picture of

Stresses obtaining a general impression of the whole situation or concept.

FAQs

How can I use "broadly understand" in a sentence?

You can use "broadly understand" to indicate a general comprehension of a topic without going into specific details. For example: "While I don't know all the intricacies, I "broadly understand" the main concepts of the theory."

What's a good alternative to "broadly understand"?

Alternatives to "broadly understand" include phrases like "generally grasp", or "have a general understanding of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "broadly understand" or "comprehensively understand"?

It depends on the context. "Broadly understand" suggests a general grasp of a subject, while "comprehensively understand" suggests a thorough and detailed knowledge. Use the phrase that accurately reflects the level of understanding.

When should I use "broadly understand" instead of "fully understand"?

"Broadly understand" is appropriate when you have a general awareness or basic knowledge of a subject, while "fully understand" implies a complete and thorough comprehension. Choose "broadly understand" when a general overview is sufficient.