gaining a basic understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gaining a basic understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of acquiring fundamental knowledge about a subject or topic. Example: "Before diving into advanced concepts, it's essential for students to focus on gaining a basic understanding of the fundamentals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was helpful, she said, but, beyond gaining a basic understanding of what playing games is like, she felt surprisingly unaltered.

The New Yorker

These techniques are useful for heat sink design, PC thermal design, and for gaining a basic understanding of heat transfer processes.

Intuitive Analog Circuit Design A Problem-Solving Approach using Design Case Studies

For readers who are only interested in gaining a basic understanding of MARTE and its purpose, but who do not anticipate using it directly in their work, the material in this chapter may prove sufficient.

Modeling and Analysis of Real-Time and Embedded Systems with UML and MARTE Developing Cyber-Physical Systems

Beyond gaining a basic understanding of the amino acid control of biological mechanisms, the characterization of how these processes contribute to the occurence of various diseases represents an important field of investigation in molecular nutrition.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

You'd gone in circles and got nowhere, and you'd gained a basic understanding of what a great luxury the leisure of youth was.

The New Yorker

As a class, read this timeline to gain a basic understanding of the sequence of statements and watch video statements by Romney and President Obama.

The New York Times

Next, students peruse The New York Times and International Herald Tribune to gain a basic understanding of what is going on in the world currently.

The New York Times

Then I'd begin reading my sources, perusing each only long enough to gain a basic understanding of a principle and to find a quotable passage demonstrating said principle.

The New York Times

In September, meanwhile, a global network of stem cell researchers, bioethicists and policy experts known as the Hinxton Group released a statement that research involving human genome editing is essential to gain a basic understanding of the biology of human embryos, although it doesn't currently believe gene-edited babies should be born.

The Guardian - Opinion

Author(s): Annissa Hambouz, The New York Times Learning Network Andrea Perelman, The Bank Street College of Education in New York City Suggested Time Allowance: 1 hour Objectives: Students will: 1. Reflect on the relationship between "richer" and "poorer" countries; gain a basic understanding of the Group of 8 and the relevance of the themes of the 2005 G-8 Summit.

The New York Times

The objective is to gain a basic understanding of the influence of unsteady flow stretching on the flame's response.

Combustion and Flame

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a broad audience, use "gaining a basic understanding" to signal that the material will cover fundamental concepts, making it accessible to newcomers.

Common error

Avoid using "gaining a basic understanding" when you actually mean achieving a thorough or complete understanding. Basic understanding implies an introductory level of knowledge, not mastery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gaining a basic understanding" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the action of acquiring fundamental knowledge. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gaining a basic understanding" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the initial stage of learning and comprehension. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable for use in written English. It is commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating its relevance across various domains. While generally neutral in tone, it leans towards formality, making it suitable for academic and professional discourse. Remember to use it when referring to acquiring fundamental knowledge and not when describing comprehensive expertise. Alternatives such as "acquiring a rudimentary grasp" or "developing a foundational knowledge" can provide subtle variations in meaning and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Developing a foundational knowledge

Highlights the construction of a knowledge base upon which further learning can be built.

Building a basic comprehension

Implies a gradual process of constructing understanding, often through effort and study.

Acquiring a rudimentary grasp

Emphasizes the initial stage of learning, suggesting a basic but functional level of comprehension.

Establishing a basic familiarity

Emphasizes becoming acquainted with the essential aspects of a topic.

Obtaining a fundamental awareness

Focuses on achieving a basic level of consciousness or recognition of a subject.

Securing a basic insight into

Highlights the achievement of a deeper understanding or intuition about a subject.

Getting a basic handle on

Suggests gaining practical control or familiarity with a subject.

Cultivating a basic appreciation

Suggests developing a sense of value or understanding, often through exposure and experience.

Forming a basic picture of

Focuses on creating a mental representation or overview of something.

Gathering a basic intelligence

Implies collecting information to form an understanding about a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "gaining a basic understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "gaining a basic understanding" to describe the process of acquiring fundamental knowledge about a subject. For example: "Before diving into advanced topics, it's essential to focus on gaining a basic understanding of the core principles."

What phrases are similar to "gaining a basic understanding"?

Similar phrases include "acquiring a rudimentary grasp", "developing a foundational knowledge", or "obtaining a fundamental awareness".

Is it correct to say "gaining a basic understanding"?

Yes, "gaining a basic understanding" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase in English to describe acquiring a fundamental comprehension of a topic.

What's the difference between "gaining a basic understanding" and "gaining a comprehensive understanding"?

"Gaining a basic understanding" implies acquiring introductory knowledge, while "gaining a comprehensive understanding" suggests achieving a thorough and complete knowledge of the subject.