rudimentary understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rudimentary understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a basic or fundamental level of knowledge about a subject. Example: "While I have a rudimentary understanding of quantum physics, I am eager to learn more about the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

No, but they will get a rudimentary understanding of circuits and understand that small components can do cool stuff.

TechCrunch

As well as the data analysis, you need to have at least a rudimentary understanding of statistics to really make sense of data and understand experimental design as well as possible.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Acquire at least a rudimentary understanding of the complicated processes that govern plant growth, he said.

The New York Times

He added, "Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of finance and economics can figure that out".

The New York Times

This denial is accompanied by a monumental crassness; a lack of even the most rudimentary understanding of Greece's collective psyche, its people and its history.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the fourth grade, the test found, a third of children lacked a rudimentary understanding of American history, appropriate for their grade.

The New York Times

Fazil Ahmed, Kandahar's new central bank branch manager, was a clerk just a few months ago and has only the most rudimentary understanding of finance.

The New York Times

I dared to defy them only once, when I was 7, passing on my rudimentary understanding of their views to a friend.

The New York Times

While he has never managed to acquire even a rudimentary understanding of foreign policy, he is a master of gaining attention.

The New Yorker

This design touch suggests that the shells' manufacturers possess a more than rudimentary understanding of ballistics, although whether it actually works is anyone's guess.

The New York Times

Just a rudimentary understanding of the Civil War would make one realize that it is wrong to imply that Confederate soldiers were not American soldiers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, ensure your audience possesses at least a "rudimentary understanding of" the core concepts you're discussing to prevent confusion or misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience has a "rudimentary understanding of" a subject when they might not. Always gauge their existing knowledge base to tailor your explanation appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rudimentary understanding of" functions as a noun phrase, indicating a basic level of comprehension or knowledge about a particular subject. It is often used to qualify the extent of someone's knowledge, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rudimentary understanding of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a basic level of knowledge. As Ludwig highlights, it's widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal settings. Alternatives include "basic grasp of" or "elementary knowledge of". When using this phrase, ensure your audience has at least this level of understanding to avoid misinterpretations. Avoid assuming knowledge they might not have. Overall, "rudimentary understanding of" is a versatile phrase for indicating a foundational level of comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic grasp of

Focuses on having a foundational hold on the subject matter, which implies a basic understanding.

elementary knowledge of

Highlights fundamental knowledge, emphasizing simplicity and lack of complexity.

superficial awareness of

Indicates a surface-level acquaintance, differing from a deep or thorough comprehension.

initial acquaintance with

Stresses the beginning stage of learning or familiarity, signifying a first encounter.

introductory insight into

Implies a preliminary glimpse or perception, akin to a first look at a subject.

limited familiarity with

Underscores the constraint on knowledge, suggesting boundaries to comprehension.

simple appreciation for

Denotes a straightforward recognition or regard for a concept, without deep analysis.

fundamental literacy in

Concentrates on basic competence, akin to being literate in the core aspects of a field.

preliminary conception of

Stresses the formative stage of forming an idea, which is introductory.

working knowledge of

Emphasizes practical knowledge sufficient for basic tasks, suggesting functional understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "rudimentary understanding of" in a sentence?

You can use "rudimentary understanding of" to describe a basic or initial level of knowledge. For example, "Even with a rudimentary understanding of the topic, she was able to contribute to the discussion."

What's a good alternative to "rudimentary understanding of"?

Alternatives include "basic grasp of", "elementary knowledge of", or "superficial awareness of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "rudimentary understanding about" or "rudimentary understanding of"?

"Rudimentary understanding of" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Understanding of" is the standard construction to indicate comprehension or knowledge about a subject.

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

Having a "rudimentary understanding of" something means you have a basic, initial, or foundational knowledge of it. It suggests you know enough to grasp the primary concepts but lack in-depth expertise.