gain a broad overview

USAGE SUMMARY

"gain a broad overview" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to describe the process of obtaining a general understanding of a concept or topic. For example, "Before we begin the lesson, let's take a few minutes to gain a broad overview of the subject at hand".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Gain a broad overview of the financial marketplace and the role a company plays within it.

Stanford University

First, gain a broad overview of important research in the behavioral sciences (e.g., behavioral economics, behavioral decision research, social and cognitive psychology, consumer research) that clarifies how managers and customers make choices.

Columbia University

To gain a broad overview into the biological functions for DE genes, we next performed an analysis of gene ontology (GO) enrichment (Methods).

BMC Genomics

We chose this approach to gain a broad overview of opinions of stakeholders, including those that might be underrepresented in journal articles (e.g. funders, ethics committees).

BMC Health Services Research

However, the aim of the study was to gain a broad overview of the research available, rather than assess the quality.

AIDS and Behavior

To gain a broad overview of the representation of various transcripts in different tissues, we compared the number of zebra finch homologues assigned to the different pools (o rgans, blood or feathers, Table  3, Fig.  7).

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I have also gained a broad overview of the field, in terms of what are the key scientific questions that need to be answered and the capabilities required to do so," she says.

Science Magazine

A possible reason for not meeting these expectations may be that the students did not gain a broader overview of the knowledge, due to a lack of open-book test preparation.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

The intention of the present investigation was to gain a broader overview of the cerebral haemodynamics during sepsis syndrome by recording simultaneously different parameters of the cerebral circulation and oxygenation before and after reduction of PaCO2.

Critical Care

To gain a broader overview of the impact of a constitutive activation of HacA on A. niger we compared our data set (HacACA-1/HacAWT) with the data of Guillemette and co-workers ([ 37]; [Additional file 3 and Additional file 16) in which the genome-wide transcriptional protein secretion-related stress responses was analyzed.

BMC Genomics

Below, a broad overview of the unit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gain a broad overview" to introduce the purpose of a study, course, or section of content when the intent is to provide a general understanding before delving into specifics.

Common error

Avoid using "gain a broad overview" when the objective is to achieve a detailed or specialized understanding. Instead, opt for phrases like "gain in-depth knowledge" or "develop expertise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain a broad overview" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the action of acquiring a general understanding of a subject. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage. It's often used to set the stage for further, more detailed exploration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

30%

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gain a broad overview" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for describing the process of acquiring a general understanding of a topic. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and ready to use. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in academic, scientific, and news-related contexts. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase serves to inform the reader about the intention to present a general perspective before providing detailed information. When using this phrase, consider whether a general understanding is truly the goal, or if a more in-depth exploration is required. Ensure that your writing is tailored to the appropriate level of detail for your audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire a general understanding

Focuses on the end result of understanding, rather than the process of gaining it.

get a comprehensive grasp

Suggests a more thorough and complete understanding than a simple overview.

develop a holistic perspective

Emphasizes seeing the whole picture and the interconnections of its parts.

familiarize oneself with

Highlights the process of becoming acquainted with a subject.

achieve a basic knowledge

Implies a foundational level of understanding, suitable for beginners.

gain initial insights

Highlights the process of gaining first informations about a subject

get the gist of

Focuses on understanding the main points, often quickly.

obtain a superficial acquaintance

Suggests a light and not very detailed understanding.

get up to speed

Implies quickly acquiring enough knowledge to participate or understand.

form a preliminary impression

Focuses on forming an initial judgment or idea about something.

FAQs

How can I use "gain a broad overview" in a sentence?

You can use "gain a broad overview" to describe the process of acquiring a general understanding of a topic. For example, "This course will help you "gain a broad overview" of the key concepts in data science".

What are some alternatives to "gain a broad overview"?

Alternatives include "acquire a general understanding", "get a comprehensive grasp", or "develop a holistic perspective", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "gain a broad overview" or "gain in-depth knowledge"?

The choice depends on the context. "Gain a broad overview" is appropriate when seeking a general understanding, while "gain in-depth knowledge" is better when a detailed and thorough understanding is required.

What's the difference between "gain a broad overview" and "obtain a superficial acquaintance"?

"Gain a broad overview" implies a structured attempt to understand a topic generally. "Obtain a superficial acquaintance" suggests a less rigorous, possibly incomplete, understanding.