has a basic understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a basic understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's level of knowledge or comprehension about a particular subject or topic. Example: "She has a basic understanding of programming languages, which helps her communicate effectively with the development team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A Phoenix defense lawyer, Karyn Klausner, who is a former municipal judge, said that for the boy to be tried as an adult, the tests must show that he is competent to understand the charges against him, has a basic understanding of the court process and is able to assist in his defense.

The New York Times

It has a basic understanding of the objects in your field of view, too, so it recognises doors, windows, chairs, tables – elements it can use when overlaying visuals.

The Guardian - Tech

"We allow anyone who has a basic understanding of tech and some free time to register to be a helper on Mummo".

TechCrunch

Asked whether Mr Hunt takes mental health seriously, she replied, "He has a basic understanding of it but whether he takes it seriously, the proof of which would be making it a priority, then sadly not".

BBC

@ABCFamily please get someone on staff who actually has a basic understanding of how to talk about trans people.

Huffington Post

They want to see a man in White House who has a basic understanding of "other" religions, ethnicities, and cultures.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Having a basic understanding of their responsibilities will help you engage them.

Harvard Business Review

Outcome 1: Students should have a basic understanding of evolutionary mechanisms (selection, drift, gene flow).

Cornell University

Too few students, it is felt, have a basic understanding of the history of the country they live in.

The Guardian

Does having a basic understanding of the language help protect you from the kinds of pitfalls one hears about?

The New York Times

When the genome project started, genomicists already had a basic understanding of how to go about it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "has a basic understanding of", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a 'basic' level of understanding for the subject matter. This helps avoid ambiguity and sets appropriate expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "has a basic understanding of" when the person possesses more than just a rudimentary knowledge. Overstating the level might mislead the audience about their actual capabilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a basic understanding of" functions as a descriptor indicating a person's level of knowledge or competence in a particular subject or skill. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a correct and usable phrase for expressing a rudimentary grasp of a topic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has a basic understanding of" is a useful way to describe someone's level of knowledge on a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, noting that it conveys a foundational level of comprehension without implying mastery. While not overly formal, it's versatile enough for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and professional communications. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context clarifies what "basic" understanding entails, and to avoid overstating the person's actual capabilities. Alternatives such as ""is familiar with the basics of"" or ""possesses a fundamental knowledge of"" can offer subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understands the essentials of

Focuses on comprehending the most important aspects.

possesses a fundamental knowledge of

Emphasizes the possession of foundational knowledge, slightly more formal.

has a rudimentary grasp of

Indicates a basic, initial understanding, possibly implying further learning is needed.

is familiar with the basics of

Suggests acquaintance with the foundational elements, less formal.

has a working knowledge of

Implies practical, usable knowledge, focusing on application.

knows the fundamentals of

Highlights knowledge of the core principles, straightforward and clear.

is acquainted with the principles of

Suggests a formal introduction to the key concepts.

is conversant with the basics of

Implies the ability to discuss the topic at a basic level, somewhat formal.

has a superficial awareness of

Highlights only a minimal level of understanding.

has a general sense of

Indicates a vague or non-specific understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "has a basic understanding of" in a sentence?

You can use "has a basic understanding of" to describe someone's rudimentary knowledge of a subject. For example, "She "has a basic understanding of" coding, which allows her to troubleshoot simple software issues."

What's a good alternative to "has a basic understanding of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is familiar with the basics of", "possesses a fundamental knowledge of", or "has a rudimentary grasp of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has a basic understanding on" instead of "has a basic understanding of"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "of". Saying "has a basic understanding on" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "has a basic understanding of".

What does it mean to "have a basic understanding of" something?

To "have a basic understanding of" something means that you possess a general, introductory level of knowledge about it. It implies you know the main concepts but might not be able to handle complex details or applications.