grasp the essentials

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'grasp the essentials' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person's understanding or comprehension of something important or fundamental. For example: "It is essential that we all grasp the essentials of the subject before we can move forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But the frustration, as so often on a men's wear runway, was not to be able to grasp the essentials.

The New York Times

Its references to the great kings and more local rulers to whom the kings eventually ceded power, he said, give "a tantalizing glimpse into some detailed power structure of which we still do not grasp the essentials.

The New York Times - Arts

The skills being tested here are your ability to quickly grasp the essentials of a situation and respond in a way that reflects an understanding of your role and organisational policy.

The Guardian - Money

He tried to fashion a clear, concise, straight news story, starting with the who, what, when, where and why of an event and proceeding toward the end by placing factual details in descending order of interest and importance - a device that ennabled readers to grasp the essentials immediately and editors to cut stories from the bottom up.

The Guardian - Books

Or why is it sometimes clear that the reviewer is unable to grasp the essentials of the problem under consideration, and yet, rejection is recommended?

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Such high-school arguments fail to grasp the essential chaos of media.

The Guardian - Opinion

Brands hardly needed to review every point to grasp the essential.

The New York Times - Sports

COMMENT FROM TERI: I think you're wrong, consider this "When are we going to grasp the essential truth?

The New Yorker

Those trying to grasp the essential principles of Cameron's rule find everything turns to dust in their hands.

The Guardian - Opinion

He doesn't go overboard -- he thinks parents, for example, should be able to see their children's records -- but he seems to grasp the essential principle.

The New York Times

He insisted that the work wasn't pornographic, and he was baffled by Americans' inability to grasp the essential difference between eroticism or sexuality and pornography.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or explanations, ensure you present information in a way that helps the reader "grasp the essentials" quickly and effectively.

Common error

Avoid burying the lead. Don't overwhelm your audience with extraneous details before they can "grasp the essentials". Start with the key takeaways, then fill in the supporting information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grasp the essentials" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of understanding or comprehending the most important aspects of a subject or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grasp the essentials" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the importance of understanding fundamental concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and business. To effectively use "grasp the essentials", prioritize clear explanations and avoid overwhelming details. Consider alternatives like "understand the key points" or "comprehend the basics" to add nuance to your writing. The phrase is valuable for highlighting the need to focus on core ideas, ensuring effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand the key points

Focuses on understanding specific points rather than a general overview.

comprehend the basics

Emphasizes understanding the foundational elements.

fathom the core concepts

Highlights a deeper understanding of fundamental concepts.

perceive the fundamental aspects

Emphasizes perceiving or recognizing key elements.

recognize the crucial elements

Focuses on identifying the most important components.

see the bigger picture

Suggests understanding the overall context and implications.

get the gist

Implies a quick and general understanding.

get the drift

Similar to 'get the gist', suggesting a general understanding without specific details.

know the score

Suggests an understanding of the situation or circumstances.

become aware of the main ideas

Highlights the process of becoming conscious of the principal concepts.

FAQs

How can I use "grasp the essentials" in a sentence?

You can use "grasp the essentials" to emphasize the importance of understanding the fundamental aspects of a topic. For example: "It's crucial for new employees to "grasp the essentials" of our company's mission."

What are some alternatives to "grasp the essentials"?

Alternatives include "understand the key points", "comprehend the basics", or "fathom the core concepts" depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "grasp the essentials" or "understand the essentials"?

Both "grasp the essentials" and "understand the essentials" are correct. "Grasp" implies a more active and immediate comprehension, while "understand" is more general. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean to "grasp the essentials" of a complex topic?

To "grasp the essentials" of a complex topic means to understand the most important and fundamental aspects, enabling you to work with the topic effectively even without knowing every single detail. It is important to "understand the key points".