have a rough understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a rough understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has a general or incomplete grasp of a subject or concept. Example: "After reading the article, I have a rough understanding of the main ideas, but I need to do more research to fully comprehend the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Most people accept that they will only ever have a rough understanding of the facts.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I have a rough understanding of what Matthew can and cannot afford, but there is no reason I need to know how much money he has," she added.

The New York Times

Their leaders, Mr. Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, have a rough understanding on where they are heading, officials of both sides say, but they are afraid to write it down or say so publicly, given the political cost of any concessions.

The New York Times

Thanks to satellite television, the long-suffering residents around the lake, which abutted Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria until it began to dry up and shrink over the past few decades (see map), have a rough understanding of what has happened recently in Iraq.

The Economist

Physicists and engineers have a rough understanding of why the big grains end up on top.

Science Magazine

Though the collected results may not be complete, we can have a rough understanding of the usage of sensors in Android apps. Figure 7 shows the number of apps categorized by the number of sensors they are using.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Scientists have only a rough understanding of how this diversity arises.

The New York Times - Health

Mondays have a rough reputation.

Forbes

Tailgates have a rough life.

Los Angeles Times

so you have a rough.

WikiHow

Over the years, the terrorists and the Spanish police have come to a rough understanding about the rules of engagement.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have a rough understanding" when you want to convey that someone has a basic, but not necessarily complete or accurate, grasp of a subject. It's ideal for describing initial or incomplete comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "have a rough understanding" when the context requires a more precise or detailed level of knowledge. Instead, opt for phrases like "have a comprehensive understanding" or "have a thorough grasp" if the situation demands it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a rough understanding" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the degree of comprehension. It expresses that someone possesses a basic but not necessarily detailed or complete knowledge of something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have a rough understanding" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a basic, incomplete grasp of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not overly formal, it finds application across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. Alternatives like "possess a basic understanding" or "hold a general grasp" can be considered for subtle variations in meaning. When writing, ensure the phrase aligns with the desired level of precision, avoiding overstatements of comprehension. The phrase frequency is uncommon across various sources, as reported by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possess a basic understanding

Indicates a foundational level of comprehension, slightly downplaying the 'rough' or incomplete nature of the understanding.

hold a general grasp

Suggests a broad, less detailed comprehension, focusing on the overall concept rather than specifics.

achieve a partial insight

Focuses on having some understanding, but acknowledges that it is not complete.

maintain a rudimentary knowledge

Implies a very basic and initial level of knowledge, often suggesting further learning is needed.

develop an initial perception

Implies the beginning stages of forming an understanding based on observation.

have a sketchy idea

Emphasizes the incompleteness and lack of detail in the understanding.

gather a hazy notion

Emphasizes the vague and unclear nature of the understanding.

gain a superficial acquaintance

Highlights a surface-level familiarity, with little in-depth knowledge.

perceive a faint glimmer

Suggests a minimal and indistinct understanding, like seeing something barely visible.

form a preliminary conception

Suggests an initial and not fully developed idea or mental representation.

FAQs

How can I use "have a rough understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "have a rough understanding" to indicate that someone possesses a general, but not detailed, comprehension of a topic. For example, "After the lecture, I have a rough understanding of quantum physics".

What are some alternatives to "have a rough understanding"?

Alternatives include "possess a basic understanding", "hold a general grasp", or "maintain a rudimentary knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "have a rough understanding" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "have a rough understanding" may be considered informal for certain contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "possess a preliminary comprehension" or "hold a general understanding" for increased precision.

What's the difference between "have a rough understanding" and "have a complete understanding"?

"Have a rough understanding" suggests an incomplete or basic grasp of a subject, while "have a complete understanding" implies a thorough and detailed comprehension. The former indicates a starting point, while the latter suggests mastery.