have a broad understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a broad understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's extensive knowledge or comprehension of a particular subject or topic. Example: "To excel in this role, candidates must have a broad understanding of market trends and consumer behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

That workers take on multiple roles also means that they have a broad understanding of the business, he adds.

The Guardian

Learning Objectives: The reader is presumed to have a broad understanding of plastic surgical procedures and concepts.

Aesthetic Surgery Journal

But in what appears to be the first admission to the contrary, Blears said: "The committee did have a broad understanding of what the capabilities of GCHQ were".

The Guardian

Volunteer leaders have a broad understanding of Stanford's needs and volunteer their time to a range of University departments, schools and organizations.

Stanford University

Most law enforcement officers aren't trained in the technical knowledge required to protect personal accounts or data, nor do they have a broad understanding of how online communities form and behave.

The Guardian - Tech

Until we have a broad understanding of the safety of these compounds and deeper insight into how they might affect judgment and decision making, the FDA and other regulatory agencies should restrict the drugs to patients under medical supervision.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

As uncertainty is increasing and competition is becoming more fierce, executives need to have a broader understanding of competition itself in order to sustain an edge.

Harvard Business Review

"But now we have a broader understanding of our personalities".

Forbes

Third, even if we have a broader understanding of entropy, it still doesn't seem that this broader concept always works.

SEP

Johnson: Having a second initiative can allow us to have a broader understanding of the degree to which family and community problems are not necessarily peculiar to a particular racial or ethnic group, but more specific to difficulties experienced by males in urban environments and their socioeconomic statuses.

University of Chicago

We need to have a broader understanding of what the British music industry is.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to showcase a wide range of knowledge, not necessarily in-depth expertise. If you need to display expertise use "have a deep understanding of" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "have a broad understanding of" when the context requires specific, in-depth expertise. Overstating general knowledge can undermine credibility. Consider using phrases like "have specialized knowledge of" or "have extensive experience in" when specific expertise is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a broad understanding of" functions as a verb phrase indicating comprehension or knowledge about a particular subject. It is used to describe someone's general grasp of a topic, as supported by examples across various sources shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Science & Research

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have a broad understanding of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a general comprehension of a topic. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While it implies a solid grasp of the subject, it doesn't necessarily denote specialized expertise. For alternative expressions, consider using phrases like "possess a comprehensive knowledge of" or "have extensive knowledge of" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possess a comprehensive knowledge of

Replaces "understanding" with "knowledge" and uses "possess" for a slightly more formal tone.

have extensive knowledge of

Emphasizes the breadth of knowledge, similar to a broad understanding.

have a comprehensive grasp of

Substitutes "understanding" with "grasp" for a slightly different nuance.

be well-versed in

Indicates a thorough and knowledgeable understanding of a subject.

have a good handle on

Suggests a practical and confident understanding.

be familiar with

Indicates a general awareness and understanding, less comprehensive than the original.

comprehend extensively

Replaces the noun phrase with a verb and adverb, emphasizing the act of understanding.

have a general awareness of

Focuses on basic knowledge rather than in-depth understanding.

have a working knowledge of

Implies practical knowledge sufficient for basic tasks.

appreciate the nuances of

Implies understanding of subtle differences and details.

FAQs

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

To "have a broad understanding of" something means to possess a general knowledge and awareness of various aspects of a particular subject or topic, without necessarily having deep expertise in any one area.

How can I demonstrate that I "have a broad understanding of" a topic in a job interview?

You can demonstrate that you "have a broad understanding of" a topic by discussing various relevant concepts, mentioning key figures or events, and showing an awareness of current trends and developments. Provide examples of how you've applied this understanding in previous roles.

What are some alternatives to saying "have a broad understanding of"?

You can use alternatives like "possess a comprehensive knowledge of", "have extensive knowledge of", or "be familiar with", depending on the specific context and the level of detail you want to convey.

Is it better to "have a broad understanding of" something or a deep understanding?

Whether it's better to "have a broad understanding of" something or a deep understanding depends on the situation. A broad understanding is useful for seeing the big picture and making connections between different areas, while a deep understanding is essential for solving complex problems and innovating within a specific field.