grasping the basics of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grasping the basics of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the understanding or comprehension of fundamental concepts in a particular subject or skill. Example: "Before moving on to advanced topics, it's essential for students to focus on grasping the basics of mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In a world where names such as LulzSec, Anonymous and the Syrian Electronic Army are banded around in an ever-increasingly porous internet, it can be difficult grasping the basics of the who, what and why of online hackers.

Independent

Say hello to yet another cute toy with a mission to lift dollars out of parents' wallets get kids coding and grasping the basics of logical thinking.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She had also failed to grasp the basics of colonic irrigation.

The Guardian - Travel

Lizette quickly grasped the basics of the game and became a contender in Azusa Greens Junior Leaguee competition.

The New York Times - Sports

Though neither of us knows the first thing about diving, we had grasped the basics of snorkelling.

The Guardian - Travel

I found working with jq a real pleasure once I grasped the basics of chaining filters to select, transform and analyse JSON.

The Guardian

Yet the fact that so many influential men still fail to grasp the basics of rape culture is both intellectually baffling and incredibly dangerous for women.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's no surprise that, even during the Internet boom, executives who grasped the basics of business model thinking were in a better position to lead the winners.

Harvard Business Review

Now is a particularly good time for managers to brush up on these concepts and grasp the basics of designing business experiments.

Harvard Business Review

Tor Freeman's delightfully simple story and illustrations (which remind BoTD of the wonderful Richard Scarry) will delight children and their parents and help them grasp the basics of telling the time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr Justice Sweeney discharged the panel of eight women and four men following more than 15 hours of deliberations, and a day after they submitted 10 questions that indicated they had not grasped the basics of their task.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grasping the basics of" when referring to the initial stage of learning. For more advanced understanding, consider phrases like "mastering the principles of".

Common error

While acceptable, "grasping the basics of" can sound informal in highly formal contexts. Opt for phrases like "understanding the fundamentals of" or "comprehending the essentials of" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grasping the basics of" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun and preposition, indicating the action of understanding fundamental principles. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grasping the basics of" refers to the act of understanding or learning fundamental principles. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Though relatively rare, its usage is generally appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as science. While "grasping the basics of" is acceptable for general use, in formal contexts, alternatives such as "understanding the fundamentals of" or "comprehending the essentials of" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understanding the fundamentals of

Focuses more on the underlying principles rather than the initial stage of learning.

comprehending the essentials of

Emphasizes understanding the most important aspects.

getting to grips with the fundamentals of

More informal and suggests a practical approach to understanding.

learning the ABCs of

Implies learning the very first and simplest elements.

acquiring a basic knowledge of

Highlights the acquisition of knowledge, suggesting a more formal learning process.

becoming familiar with the basics of

Focuses on gaining familiarity rather than a deep understanding.

mastering the rudiments of

Suggests a more thorough learning process, aiming for mastery of the basic elements.

getting a handle on the basics of

Informal and emphasizes gaining control or understanding.

getting acquainted with the principles of

Highlights the initial stage of learning and becoming familiar with principles.

appreciating the core concepts of

Emphasizes the value and understanding of the fundamental concepts.

FAQs

What does "grasping the basics of" mean?

The phrase "grasping the basics of" refers to understanding or learning the fundamental concepts of a subject or skill. It implies an initial stage of learning where one is becoming familiar with the core elements.

How can I use "grasping the basics of" in a sentence?

You can use "grasping the basics of" to describe the process of learning fundamental concepts. For example: "Before moving on to advanced topics, it's essential to focus on "grasping the basics of" mathematics."

What can I say instead of "grasping the basics of"?

You can use alternatives like "understanding the fundamentals of", "comprehending the essentials of", or "acquiring a basic knowledge of" depending on the context.

Is "grasping the basics of" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "grasping the basics of" may be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using phrases like "understanding the fundamentals of" for a more professional tone.