gain a general understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gain a general understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of acquiring a basic or overall comprehension of a subject or topic. Example: "Before diving into the specifics of the project, it's important to gain a general understanding of the main objectives and goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Students will gain a general understanding of systems thinking as a field and the many tools and technologies available to solve problems or analyze complex systems.

Cornell University

How do we gain a general understanding of cancer and genomics without compromising on the privacy of the protected health information of the people contributing to the study?

Forbes

Providing your audience with a summary in visual or number form, or a combination of the two, allows you to set the scene and lets them gain a general understanding of the situation or topic.

Forbes

One of the best ways to avoid missing a deduction or credit is to gain a general understanding of the tax benefits that may apply to you.

Huffington Post

I agree that anyone operating any such missile system would need at least six months of training just to gain a general understanding of the component parts.

Huffington Post

I also think that our pluralistic, diverse society can only benefit from encouraging citizens to gain a general understanding of different faiths, since the result will be greater tolerance and respect for people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The explanations they made about scientific practices, which the students may use in this lesson plan, showed that they gained a general understanding of scientific practices and BRH.

International Journal of STEM Education

Through the aforementioned analysis, we gained a general understanding of the gene functions affecting acetic acid-induced PCD.

BMC Genomics

Each specialist may find less than he or she would like, but I found many interesting details that are useful for gaining a general understanding of the technological future of breast cancer screening.

Breast Cancer Research

Sensitivity analyses using the Smith-Hazel selection index model enabled a general understanding of the levels of gain and trade-offs among key and non-key traits, and the effects that choosing different populations can have on gain.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

It's a general understanding of love".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gain a general understanding", clearly define the scope of the subject matter to provide context for the level of understanding being achieved.

Common error

Avoid using "gain a general understanding" when a more in-depth analysis or expertise is required. This phrase is appropriate for introductory knowledge, not advanced proficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain a general understanding" functions as a verb phrase expressing the action of acquiring a basic level of knowledge or comprehension about a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

27%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gain a general understanding" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression signifying the acquisition of a fundamental knowledge base about a particular subject. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly suitable for describing the process of achieving a basic level of comprehension. This analysis shows that while it appears across various contexts, it's particularly frequent in scientific, news, and academic sources. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "acquire a basic grasp" or "develop a broad overview". It's important to use this phrase appropriately, recognizing its implication of introductory knowledge rather than advanced expertise. Remember to clearly define the scope of understanding you are referencing for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire a basic grasp

Focuses on the initial stage of learning, emphasizing a fundamental hold on the subject.

develop a broad overview

Highlights the creation of a comprehensive, high-level perspective.

attain a preliminary insight

Emphasizes the achievement of an early, initial understanding.

foster a foundational awareness

Stresses the cultivation of a base-level understanding.

secure a rudimentary comprehension

Highlights the acquisition of a basic, elementary understanding.

build a conceptual framework

Focuses on constructing a mental structure for understanding.

form a working knowledge

Emphasizes practical understanding sufficient for basic tasks.

achieve a surface-level understanding

Focuses on obtaining a basic comprehension without deep analysis.

get the gist of

Informal way of saying to understand the main point.

obtain a summary appreciation

Highlights the acquisition of an overview or condensed understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "gain a general understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "gain a general understanding" to describe the process of acquiring a basic knowledge of a topic. For example, "Before starting the project, it's important to "gain a general understanding" of the client's needs".

What are some alternatives to "gain a general understanding"?

Alternatives include "acquire a basic grasp", "develop a broad overview", or "attain a preliminary insight", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "gain a general understanding" or "develop a deep understanding"?

The choice depends on the context. "Gain a general understanding" implies acquiring a basic knowledge, while "develop a deep understanding" suggests a more thorough and comprehensive learning process.

What's the difference between "gain a general understanding" and "have a comprehensive knowledge"?

"Gain a general understanding" indicates an introductory level of knowledge, whereas "have a comprehensive knowledge" implies mastery and detailed expertise in a subject.