sketchy understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sketchy understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a vague or incomplete grasp of a subject or concept. Example: "After the lecture, I left with only a sketchy understanding of the complex theories discussed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But every 10-year-old I know has some sketchy understanding, or, worse still, ill-informed curiosity about where they came from.

The Guardian - Opinion

They filled in my sketchy understanding of the story: big dam to displace 250,000 people along river valley, 40m others to get water and electricity.

The Guardian - Film

Under questioning by Senator Maggie Hassan, DeVos revealed her sketchy understanding of the terms of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, which guarantees public-education services to students with special needs or physical disabilities.

The New Yorker

Their "fund managers" -- volunteers who help bring in investments and help choose and allocate money to projects -- also tend to have a sketchy understanding of who is behind RTMark, they say, because most of their transactions occur via e-mail.

The New York Times - Tech

While emphasizing that they have only a sketchy understanding of the murky world in which the groups operate, allied officials theorize that they may be competing among themselves to prove to potential foreign backers that they are able to carry out terrorist operations.

The New York Times

Although biologists use DNA polymerases every day in the lab to copy DNA, they have only a sketchy understanding of how the enzyme works.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The authors argue that Europe's more jaundiced view of agricultural biotechnology results from lower trust in regulators (particularly after mad-cow disease), more press coverage and a sketchier understanding of genetic engineering.In this section STOCKMARKETS MONEY AND INTEREST RATES BACKING BIOTECHNOLOGY TRADE, EXCHANGE RATES AND BUDGETS Reprints.

The Economist

Accounts of life under the regime therefore remained sketchy, our understanding of what made its cogs turn greatly deficient.

The New Yorker

Determining the cycles of transmission of the virus among humans, insects, birds and animals is complex, and the maps of those interrelationships are still too sketchy to provide a full understanding of the ecology of West Nile virus in this country.

The New York Times - Science

They say there is no safe diminution of habitat as long as human understanding of ecology is as sketchy as it is; a fallback strategy is unthinkable.

The New York Times - Science

But our understanding of its emergence remains sketchy.

BioSocieties

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "sketchy understanding" with actionable steps to improve comprehension, showing a proactive approach to knowledge gaps.

Common error

Avoid using "sketchy understanding" when there's absolutely no understanding at all. A "sketchy understanding" implies some level of familiarity, however limited, with the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sketchy understanding" functions as a noun phrase, where "sketchy" modifies the noun "understanding". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It describes the quality or state of one's comprehension.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sketchy understanding" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe an incomplete or vague grasp of a subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is suitable for use across various contexts, though it's more prevalent in news and media and scientific writing. When using "sketchy understanding", it is important to provide context to what specific area is being poorly understood. For more formal contexts, alternatives such as "rudimentary knowledge" or "superficial awareness" may be more appropriate. While the term is valid, writers should be mindful of not overstating the lack of knowledge, implying at least a minimal familiarity with the topic at hand. Examples provided by Ludwig highlight the contexts in which a "sketchy understanding" might arise, underlining its practical application in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incomplete grasp

Highlights the lack of completeness in comprehension.

vague notion

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and precision in understanding.

limited comprehension

Focuses on the restricted extent of understanding.

hazy idea

Suggests a blurred or unclear understanding.

rudimentary knowledge

Indicates a basic and underdeveloped level of knowledge.

superficial awareness

Focuses on the shallow depth of understanding.

tenuous grasp

Highlights the weak and uncertain nature of understanding.

imprecise conception

Emphasizes the lack of accuracy in understanding.

fragmentary knowledge

Suggests that the understanding is composed of disconnected pieces.

rough approximation

Implies an understanding that is not exact or refined.

FAQs

How can I use "sketchy understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "sketchy understanding" to describe a situation where someone has a vague or incomplete grasp of a topic. For example, "After the initial briefing, I only had a "sketchy understanding" of the project requirements."

What's a better alternative to "sketchy understanding"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "incomplete grasp", "vague notion", or "limited comprehension".

Is it acceptable to use "sketchy understanding" in formal writing?

While "sketchy understanding" is generally acceptable, consider using a more formal alternative like "rudimentary knowledge" or "superficial awareness" in highly formal contexts.

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

Having a "sketchy understanding" means that your knowledge of a particular subject is incomplete, vague, and lacking in detail. It implies that you may know some basic facts, but you don't have a comprehensive or thorough grasp of the topic.