familiarity with the basics of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "familiarity with the basics of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's understanding or knowledge of fundamental concepts in a particular subject or field. Example: "To succeed in this course, you should have a familiarity with the basics of programming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Demonstrate familiarity with the basics of applied statistical methodology.

Cornell University

Demonstrate familiarity with the basics of intellectual property terminology and laws in the USA.

Cornell University

That was likely the point: to reassure voters Trump possesses a baseline level of familiarity with the basics of military responsibility.

The Guardian

And I'm saying that if you have a well-stocked pantry, along with some familiarity with the basics of cooking and a relaxed attitude, you can make dinner happen pretty quickly.

The New York Times - Food

While first year students are encouraged to enroll, students who have limited familiarity with the basics of investing and corporate finance are strongly encouraged to purchase David Swensen's "Pioneering Portfolio Management" and cover the recommended chapters in advance of the course.

Stanford University

We expect the reader to have a reasonable computer science background (i.e., familiarity with the basics of programming and algorithm analysis), but we do not require familiarity with the fields of reverse engineering or artificial intelligence (AI).

Springer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Trump's statements naturally caused a flurry of panic over an untested leader with little familiarity with the basic principles of nuclear security having control of atomic weapons.

The Washington Post

Prerequisites: some familiarity with the basic concepts of differential geometrynand the topology of surfaces and manifolds is strongly recommended.

Stanford University

Familiarity with the basic components of the UPS and knowledge of UPS defects in neurological diseases will definitely be of future importance in neuropathology.

Acta Neuropathologica

Prerequisites: some familiarity with the basic principles of partial differential equations, probability and stochastic processes, and of mathematical finance as provided, e.g., in MATH W4071.

Columbia University

As background, students are assumed to know stochastic process theory at the level of Statistics 217-218, microeconomics at the level of Economics 202N, and optimization theory at the level of MS&E 211, and to have some familiarity with the basic ideas of dynamic programming.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing required skills for a role, use "familiarity with the basics of" to indicate that a deep expertise isn't required, but a general understanding is expected.

Common error

Avoid using "familiarity with the basics of" when the context requires in-depth knowledge or advanced skills. This phrase implies a surface-level understanding, which might misrepresent the actual expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "familiarity with the basics of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a general understanding or awareness of fundamental concepts, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

45%

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "familiarity with the basics of" is a noun phrase used to describe a general, non-expert understanding of fundamental concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across academic, news, and scientific contexts. While not extremely frequent, its usage is common enough to warrant attention, particularly when setting expectations in professional or educational settings. Related phrases include "basic understanding of" and "rudimentary knowledge of", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the required level of expertise and avoid overstating or understating the expected knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic understanding of

Focuses on comprehension rather than proficiency.

rudimentary knowledge of

Emphasizes the elementary level of the knowledge.

introductory grasp of

Highlights the initial stage of understanding.

foundational understanding of

Highlights the essential nature of the understanding.

working knowledge of the fundamentals of

Stresses practical application of basic principles.

awareness of the core principles of

Stresses the general awareness rather than detailed expertise.

exposure to the elementary aspects of

Suggests initial contact with a subject but not necessarily mastery.

preliminary insight into

Conveys a sense of early-stage perception and comprehension.

an elementary command of

Indicates a basic level of control or understanding.

basic acquaintance with

Emphasizes a casual or superficial level of familiarity.

FAQs

How can I use "familiarity with the basics of" in a sentence?

You can use "familiarity with the basics of" to describe a general understanding of a subject. For example, "A "familiarity with the basics of" coding is helpful for this role".

What are some alternatives to "familiarity with the basics of"?

Alternatives include "basic understanding of", "rudimentary knowledge of", or "introductory grasp of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "familiarity with the basics of" or "expert knowledge of"?

It depends on the level of knowledge you want to convey. "Familiarity with the basics of" implies a general understanding, while "expert knowledge of" indicates a much deeper and more comprehensive understanding.

What's the difference between "familiarity with the basics of" and "understanding of the basics of"?

While similar, "familiarity with the basics of" suggests a more passive awareness, while "understanding of the basics of" implies a more active and engaged comprehension.