to get a general understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to get a general understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you need to gain a basic level of knowledge and familiarity about a particular topic. For example, "I read a few articles in order to get a general understanding of global warming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The first part of this investigation is focusing on an analytical prediction as well as on a comparison of numerical and experimental results for the evaluation of the laminate properties to get a general understanding for the material.

Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering

With all of the online resources, blogs, podcasts, and books available you should be able to get a general understanding of the job's duties and expected experience before your interview.

Yale University

It permits, for example, to get a general understanding of the best possible configurations and combinations of insulation materials for the cavity walls or, with reference to the control strategy, to simulate different cooking procedures, with the aim of optimizing the operating sequence of the oven, reaching the maximum energy saving without reducing the cooking quality.

Energy Procedia

The idea here is to get a general understanding of where things are headed.

Forbes

Read the editorial text to get a general understanding of its meaning and fields realized in TAXONOMY, CONFIGRUATION and ACTIVITY SEQUENCE.

Functional Linguistics

However, to get a general understanding of α in view of the airlay process parameters a sensitivity analysis in combination with a broader experimental study is necessary.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The Rice Center for Teaching Excellence has some online calculators for estimating class workload that can help you get a general understanding of the time it may take for a student to read a particular number of pages of material at different levels or to complete essays or other types of homework.

Duke University

"Two years ago, translation technology would produce something that at best would let you get a general understanding of what the text was about – but in most cases, a professional translator would tell you they would rather just translate from scratch because they couldn't understand a lot of the output.

Forbes

First, the transcripts were read, to get a general overview of the topics commented upon.

BMC Medical Education

11 In brief, first, the whole interview was read to get a general impression.

BMJ Open

This is essentially a clear idea about where the company (or organization or team) needs to go, a general understanding about how it's going to get there, and the ability to explain it in a way that inspires others.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When starting a research project, use "to get a general understanding" as a preliminary goal before diving into specifics. This helps you build a solid foundation of knowledge.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "general understanding" as comprehensive expertise. Clearly communicate the scope of your knowledge to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to get a general understanding" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the reason or intention behind an action, as seen in Ludwig's examples, where it clarifies the goal of reading a text or conducting research.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to get a general understanding" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates the aim of acquiring fundamental knowledge about a subject. While synonyms like "acquire a basic grasp" exist, this phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for various contexts. Remember, though, that possessing a "general understanding" doesn't equate to expertise, so be sure to represent the breadth and depth of your comprehension accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to acquire a basic grasp

This alternative emphasizes the act of obtaining a fundamental comprehension of a subject.

to gain a broad overview

Focuses on obtaining a wide-ranging perspective rather than a detailed analysis.

to develop a rudimentary knowledge

Highlights the gradual development of basic knowledge.

to familiarize oneself

Emphasizes the process of becoming acquainted with something.

to form a basic conception

Focuses on creating a fundamental mental image or idea.

to achieve a foundational awareness

Highlights reaching a basic level of awareness or consciousness about a topic.

to secure a preliminary insight

Emphasizes the act of obtaining an initial glimpse or understanding.

to cultivate a surface-level appreciation

Focuses on developing a simple, not very involved, understanding.

to attain a working knowledge

Highlights gaining enough knowledge to use something effectively.

to pick up the fundamentals

Emphasizes learning the essential aspects of something.

FAQs

How can I use "to get a general understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "to get a general understanding" to express the need to gain basic knowledge. For example, "I need to read the report "to get a general understanding" of the project's goals".

What are some alternatives to "to get a general understanding"?

Alternatives include "to acquire a basic grasp", "to gain a broad overview", or "to develop a rudimentary knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to aim for a "general understanding" or a "deep understanding"?

The choice depends on your goals. A "general understanding" is suitable for preliminary knowledge, while a "deep understanding" is necessary for expertise or specialized tasks.

How does "to get a general understanding" differ from "to get a detailed understanding"?

"To get a general understanding" implies a broad overview, while "to get a detailed understanding" suggests a thorough and in-depth analysis.