general understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

"general understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a broad comprehension or familiarity with something. For example, "The general understanding of the situation was that the company was going to undergo restructuring."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's a general understanding of love".

The Guardian - Music

Engineers believe they have a general understanding of why the World Trade Center towers fell.

The New York Times - Science

Her lead lawyer, Gerard Hanlon, said she had only a general understanding of the charges.

The New York Times

Szirtes thinks he was helped by a general understanding of the political situation in Hungary and sympathy with Hungarian refugees.

The Guardian

To fully grasp the depths of a capologist's work, one must have a general understanding of the basics.

The New York Times - Sports

Below, some questions based on the article that might help provide a general understanding of this news.

The New York Times

I also think that foreigners have a general understanding of China, such as what's going on there politically or economically.

The New York Times

This result is of major importance for the general understanding of surface diffusion.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Nevertheless, the cognitive interviews showed a good general understanding of most of the items.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

Sustainable waste management during operation, closure, and reclamation requires a general understanding of tailings consolidation.

Environmental Systems Research

However, the multidimensional case is rather different, and there is no general understanding of the situation.

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general understanding of", ensure that the context clarifies the scope and depth of the understanding being described. Avoid using it when a detailed or expert understanding is required.

Common error

Avoid using "general understanding of" when you mean to convey a more specialized or in-depth knowledge. This can lead to miscommunication and inaccuracies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general understanding of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates a basic or non-specialized level of comprehension about a particular subject. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, reflecting its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "general understanding of" is a common noun phrase used to describe a basic or non-specialized level of comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is frequently employed in diverse contexts, including science, news, and business, reflecting its broad applicability. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring the context aligns with the intended level of understanding. Alternatives such as "basic grasp of" or "familiarity with" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad overview of

Emphasizes the comprehensive, yet not necessarily deep, coverage of a topic.

familiarity with

Suggests being acquainted with a subject, but not necessarily having in-depth knowledge.

basic grasp of

Focuses on the initial stage of acquiring knowledge or comprehension.

overall picture of

Highlights the complete perspective rather than detailed knowledge.

working knowledge of

Focuses on the practical application of understanding rather than theoretical depth.

elementary knowledge of

Highlights the fundamental or introductory nature of the knowledge.

rudimentary understanding of

Similar to "basic grasp", suggesting a foundational but not advanced level of comprehension.

sense of

Conveys a vague or intuitive understanding, rather than a precise comprehension.

superficial awareness of

Implies a limited or shallow level of understanding.

impression of

Highlights a subjective or personal interpretation, potentially lacking factual depth.

FAQs

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

You can use "general understanding of" to describe a basic awareness or comprehension of a topic. For example: "A "general understanding of" the principles of physics is helpful for engineers."

What are some alternatives to "general understanding of"?

Alternatives include "basic grasp of", "broad overview of", or "familiarity with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "general understanding of" in formal writing?

Yes, "general understanding of" is appropriate for formal writing when you intend to describe a non-specialized, basic comprehension of a topic. However, be precise and avoid vagueness.

What's the difference between "general understanding of" and "detailed knowledge of"?

"General understanding of" refers to a basic awareness of a subject, while "detailed knowledge of" implies a comprehensive and in-depth comprehension. Use "general understanding of" when you want to indicate a basic or introductory level of comprehension, and reserve "detailed knowledge of" for more specialized contexts.