mastery of the basics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mastery of the basics" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the importance of having a strong foundation in fundamental skills or knowledge in a particular subject or field. Example: "Before advancing to more complex topics, it's essential to achieve mastery of the basics in mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

What impressed me more, however, was the boys' youthful mastery of the basics of Odissi style.

The New York Times - Arts

The House education bill adopted Texas's insistence on mastery of the basics of reading and writing by all groups.

The New York Times

His painting illustrates this by its unexceptional mastery of the basics of design - the circular top of the pipe bowl is a foreshortened disc with a void within it, drawn with sterile academic precision.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

By similar self-educative devices, the child is led to individual mastery of the basic skills of everyday life and then to schoolwork in arithmetic and grammar.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But his mastery of the basic crafts of journalism was not irrelevant.Writing and reporting, of the kind Deedes relished, are less valued now than once they were, at least by the media industry.

The Economist

Education was to be compulsory from age 6 to 18. Schooling was to be divided into three successive stages: (1) 6 to 11, aimed at mastery of the basic skills and knowledge, (2) 11 to 15, a period of guidance to discover aptitudes, and (3) 15 to 18, a stage during which education was to be diversified and specialized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Participants were first evaluated for mastery of the basic rules that govern the hierarchical structure of algebra (i.e., order of operations).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

"There is no transparency without readiness, which is the mastery of basic skills and basic language that gives you the ability to make sense of the information," said Joline Godfrey, an author and consultant to wealthy families struggling with their own financial disclosure questions.

The New York Times

At the WRU annual general meeting that year, the outgoing WRU President D. Ewart Davies declared that "it was evident from the experience of the South African Tour that a much more positive attitude to the game was required in Wales ... Players must be prepared to learn, and indeed re-learn, to the absolute point of mastery, the basic principles of Rugby Union football".

Wikipedia

It was an extraordinarily exciting, brave and gutsy recording (as I remember from the shockwaves it caused among my school friends when we first heard it), and the wonder of it was that anyone with a cheap acoustic guitar, and the mastery of three basic chords, could attempt to imitate the Donegan style.

The Guardian

Just as a chef can't experiment in the kitchen without familiarity with essential ingredients, a composer can't innovate without basic mastery of the craft.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the importance of fundamental skills before advancing to more complex topics, use "mastery of the basics" to set a clear expectation of required competence.

Common error

Avoid using "mastery of the basics" when referring to advanced or specialized knowledge. Reserve this phrase for situations where fundamental skills are genuinely the focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mastery of the basics" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes the state of having a complete command of fundamental principles or skills.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mastery of the basics" is a noun phrase denoting a thorough competence in fundamental skills or knowledge. Ludwig confirms it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly when emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation. While not overly common, the phrase appears in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. To enhance your writing, remember to reserve this phrase for situations truly focused on fundamental skills, and consider using alternatives like "command of fundamental principles" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

command of fundamental principles

Focuses on the governing rules rather than general elements.

proficiency in essential skills

Emphasizes skills, making it suitable where practical application is key.

expertise in foundational knowledge

Highlights in-depth knowledge rather than basic competence.

thorough grounding in core concepts

Stresses the depth and completeness of understanding.

complete grasp of elementary aspects

Emphasizes understanding of initial or uncomplicated parts.

adeptness in primary techniques

Implies skillfulness and quickness in performing basic methods.

familiarity with basic elements

Suggests acquaintance rather than deep expertise.

competence in rudimentary processes

Focuses on the capability to handle simple or initial steps effectively.

understanding of rudimentary concepts

Simply demonstrates the ability to comprehend and apply simple ideas.

know-how in basic procedures

Highlights the practical knowledge necessary to perform fundamental procedures.

FAQs

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

You can use "mastery of the basics" to emphasize the importance of fundamental skills. For example, "Before advancing to calculus, /s/a+strong+foundation+in+algebra is essential".

What are some alternatives to "mastery of the basics"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "command of fundamental principles", "proficiency in essential skills", or "expertise in foundational knowledge".

Is it correct to say "mastery on the basics" instead of "mastery of the basics"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "mastery" in this context is "of". Therefore, "mastery of the basics" is the grammatically correct phrase.

What's the difference between "mastery of the basics" and "understanding of the basics"?

"Mastery of the basics" implies a high level of competence and control, while "understanding of the basics" suggests a more general comprehension without necessarily implying expert-level skill.