getting a rough idea

USAGE SUMMARY

'getting a rough idea' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to having a general understanding of something rather than specific details. For example: "I'm just getting a rough idea of the company's business model."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As you should know Dr. Pathologist, it's difficult to tell much about a virus, apart from getting a rough idea of its type, from just looking.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

At this point, read through cache.s to get a rough idea of what the program does.

University of California, Berkeley

You sample several stations to get a rough idea of where you are.

The New York Times

"… we get a rough idea of where it's going to go before we get the script.

Independent

If you can find a way to measure these things, you can get a rough idea of a state's strength.

The Economist

Imagine Jonah Lomu recast as a close-quarter forward threat and you get a rough idea of Collins at his unstoppable best.

The Guardian - Sport

You've probably got a rough idea of what level of academic preparation someone would have to have to get in here.

University of California, Berkeley

The yield on conventional government bonds can be compared with that on inflation-linked debt to get a rough idea of the market's expectations for inflationary pressure.

The Economist

You can get a rough idea of your cognitive reserve simply by gauging how much your education, work, and other activities have challenged your brain over the years.

Harvard University

To get a rough idea of the scale of these CO2 reductions, note that the European Union and the US consume roughly 7bn MWh of electricity annually.

The Guardian - Opinion

When we talk about extreme environments we can get a rough idea of their austerity by judging how long they will support human life unprotected and unsupported.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "getting a rough idea" when you need to communicate that someone understands the basic elements of a concept but lacks detailed knowledge. This avoids implying a complete or comprehensive understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "getting a rough idea" when the context requires conveying a deep or thorough grasp of the subject. Use phrases like "understanding comprehensively" or "having a complete grasp" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting a rough idea" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the process of acquiring a general or approximate understanding. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "getting a rough idea" is a common phrase used to describe the initial stages of understanding a concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, though potentially less formal. The phrase frequently appears in news, academic, and scientific domains. When a more precise or formal tone is required, consider alternatives such as "acquiring a rudimentary knowledge" or "grasping the outline". Overall, "getting a rough idea" effectively communicates a general sense of understanding without implying complete mastery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gaining a basic understanding

Emphasizes acquiring fundamental knowledge.

forming a preliminary notion

Highlights the initial stage of developing an idea.

developing a general sense

Focuses on creating an overall impression.

grasping the outline

Underscores understanding the main structure or framework.

acquiring a rudimentary knowledge

Highlights obtaining elementary information.

getting an initial impression

Focuses on forming the first perception.

ascertaining the basics

Emphasizes identifying the fundamental elements.

finding out the gist

Highlights discovering the essence of something.

gaining a superficial knowledge

Implies understanding only the surface level.

sketching out the concept

Focuses on creating a brief representation.

FAQs

How can I use "getting a rough idea" in a sentence?

You can use "getting a rough idea" to indicate an initial or incomplete understanding. For example, "After the presentation, I was just "getting a rough idea" of the project's scope".

What's a good alternative to "getting a rough idea"?

Alternatives include "gaining a basic understanding", "forming a preliminary notion", or "developing a general sense", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "getting a rough idea" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "getting a rough idea" is generally more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise language like "acquiring a rudimentary knowledge" or "grasping the outline".

What does it mean to "get a rough idea" of something?

To "get a rough idea" means to form a general or approximate understanding of something, without necessarily knowing all the details. It's about "getting an initial impression" or a basic sense of what something is about.