get a general understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get a general understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey the idea of acquiring a basic or overall comprehension of a topic or subject. Example: "Before diving into the details, it's important to get a general understanding of the project's objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The first part of this investigation is focusing on an analytical prediction as well as on a comparison of numerical and experimental results for the evaluation of the laminate properties to get a general understanding for the material.

Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering

With all of the online resources, blogs, podcasts, and books available you should be able to get a general understanding of the job's duties and expected experience before your interview.

Yale University

It permits, for example, to get a general understanding of the best possible configurations and combinations of insulation materials for the cavity walls or, with reference to the control strategy, to simulate different cooking procedures, with the aim of optimizing the operating sequence of the oven, reaching the maximum energy saving without reducing the cooking quality.

Energy Procedia

The idea here is to get a general understanding of where things are headed.

Forbes

Read the editorial text to get a general understanding of its meaning and fields realized in TAXONOMY, CONFIGRUATION and ACTIVITY SEQUENCE.

Functional Linguistics

However, to get a general understanding of α in view of the airlay process parameters a sensitivity analysis in combination with a broader experimental study is necessary.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

This is essentially a clear idea about where the company (or organization or team) needs to go, a general understanding about how it's going to get there, and the ability to explain it in a way that inspires others.

Harvard Business Review

Once the students have seen it and have a general understanding of the new stroke get them back into the water to start practicing it!

WikiHow

Get a general sense of it.

WikiHow

Get a general knowledge of your surroundings.

WikiHow

You must have a general understanding of how a center operates and a general understanding of budgets.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When starting a new project or learning a new subject, aim to "get a general understanding" first before diving into the specifics. This approach helps in building a strong foundation.

Common error

Don't overestimate your knowledge after you "get a general understanding". Remember that a general overview is just the beginning, and further study is usually needed to gain genuine expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get a general understanding" functions as a verb phrase indicating the acquisition of a basic level of knowledge or comprehension about a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get a general understanding" is a correct and frequently used expression for describing the process of acquiring a basic comprehension of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It's versatile enough for use across various contexts, including science, news, and general writing. Remember to use this phrase when you wish to convey obtaining a foundational grasp of a topic, while also recognizing it's a starting point for deeper knowledge. Be sure not to overestimate your understanding after achieving a general overview.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

build a foundational comprehension

Emphasizes the role of this understanding as a basis for further learning.

gain a broad overview

Emphasizes the wide scope and summary nature of the knowledge acquired.

achieve a fundamental insight

Highlights the importance of gaining a basic, yet key, understanding.

acquire a basic grasp

Focuses on the initial stage of learning or comprehension.

secure a basic familiarity

Focuses on becoming acquainted with something in a basic way.

develop a basic awareness

Highlights the initial stage of becoming conscious or informed about something.

obtain a rudimentary knowledge

Stresses that the knowledge gained is basic and elementary.

establish a general sense

Focuses on intuition and impression as basis for general understanding.

form a preliminary impression

Stresses the early and not fully developed nature of the understanding.

cultivate a primary apprehension

Stresses the first stage of grasping and internalizing information.

FAQs

How can I "get a general understanding" of a complex topic quickly?

Start with introductory materials such as overviews, summaries, and introductory courses. Focus on key concepts and don't get bogged down in details initially. Using resources like "Wikipedia" or introductory textbooks can be helpful.

What's the difference between "get a general understanding" and "get a detailed understanding"?

"Get a general understanding" implies acquiring a basic overview, while "get a detailed understanding" involves a thorough and in-depth comprehension of the subject matter. The former is a starting point, the latter is an advanced stage.

Is it always necessary to "get a general understanding" before learning something new?

While not always mandatory, "getting a general understanding" is often beneficial. It provides context, helps prioritize learning, and makes it easier to grasp complex concepts later on. Skipping this step can lead to confusion and frustration.

What are some good resources for "getting a general understanding" of a new field?

Consider resources like introductory books, online courses, documentaries, and overview articles. For scientific fields, resources like "ScienceDirect" can be a great starting point. For business-related topics, Harvard Business Review could be helpful. Choose resources tailored to beginners.