get an overview

USAGE SUMMARY

"get an overview" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used in a variety of different contexts, such as when writing a research paper. For example, you might say, "I decided to get an overview of the topic before diving into the details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can get an overview of the country at www.tanzaniatouristboard.com.

The New York Times - Travel

In an hour, visitors get an overview of the island's north shore.

The New York Times

It was really useful to get an overview of the organisation.

The Guardian - Money

BACKGROUND You can get an overview of the country on the Web at www.vanuatu.net.vu.vu

The New York Times - Travel

The process began with an analyst reading a transcript to get an overview of its contents.

The Guardian

"It's a great way to get an overview of Finnish design today," she said.

The New York Times - Travel

Sometimes it's good to get an overview of all the fund types and their risks.

The New York Times

"You can press compare to get an overview of all the courses that you're interested in listed side-by-side.

The Guardian

Generally I will read the abstract, introduction, and discussion first to get an overview of the research.

The Guardian

"Lots of artists use the foundry," Bielecka says, "so you get an overview of what's happening in the sculpture world.

The Guardian - Arts

There are other options for harbor cruises, and what better way to get an overview of Lower Manhattan?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When starting a new project or research, "get an overview" first to identify key areas and prioritize your efforts. This saves time and ensures a focused approach.

Common error

Avoid attempting to cover every single detail when trying to "get an overview". The purpose is to gain a general understanding, not to become an expert immediately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get an overview" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of acquiring a general understanding or summary of a topic, situation, or subject. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get an overview" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the process of gaining a general understanding of a topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse fields such as news, science, and general writing. While the phrase is versatile, it’s important to remember that its purpose is to provide a broad understanding, not exhaustive detail. Semantically related alternatives include phrases like "obtain a summary" or "acquire basic knowledge". Remember to "get an overview" before diving deep into any subject matter to ensure a well-informed approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain a summary

This alternative uses "summary" instead of "overview", implying a condensed version of information.

review the basics

This alternative suggests going over the foundational aspects of a topic.

gain a general understanding

This alternative focuses on achieving a broad comprehension of the subject.

acquire basic knowledge

This alternative suggests obtaining fundamental knowledge about a topic.

grasp the essentials

This alternative highlights understanding the core elements of something.

form an initial impression

This alternative highlights the creation of a first opinion or understanding.

survey the landscape

This alternative implies looking at the broader context to understand the situation.

develop a broad perspective

This alternative emphasizes the development of a comprehensive viewpoint.

familiarize oneself

This alternative focuses on becoming acquainted with the basics of a subject.

get the gist

This is an informal way of saying to understand the main points.

FAQs

How can I use "get an overview" in a sentence?

You can use "get an overview" to describe the act of understanding the main points of a topic. For example: "I need to "get an overview" of the project before the meeting."

What's a more formal way to say "get an overview"?

In a more formal context, you might use phrases like "obtain a summary", "acquire a general understanding", or "develop a comprehensive perspective".

Which is correct, "get an overview" or "get overview"?

"Get an overview" is the correct phrase. The article "an" is necessary before "overview" because it is a singular, countable noun.

What's the difference between "get an overview" and "go into detail"?

"Get an overview" means to understand the main points broadly, while "go into detail" means to examine specific aspects thoroughly.