to get a rough overview

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to get a rough overview" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an informal phrase used to mean to get a general understanding of something. For example, "I read the introductory chapter of the book to get a rough overview of what it was about."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

To get a rough overview of the role of plasma protein binding on the synovial distribution of ASA and SA, perfusion was performed with diluted autologous blood (mixed with plasma in a ratio of 1 4) in two extremities.

BMC Veterinary Research

To get a rough overview, light pulses are normally given only at cardinal wild-type PRC time points of the circadian cycle like CT10 (the end of the dead zone), CT14 (maximum phase delay), and CT22 (maximum phase advance).

Biological Procedures Online

At this stage, you're likely just to get a rough overview, rather than doing in-depth research.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Finally, we found a spot and unfolded the ladder to see if we could get a rough overview, only to realise that it wasn't quite tall enough to look down into the stadium.

Vice

Using this approach we cannot discern gene family members but get a rough overview on general protein distributions between clades.

BMC Genomics

With a total of 216 counts, it will be possible to get a rough spectral slope.

Harvard University

At this point, read through cache.s to get a rough idea of what the program does.

University of California, Berkeley

Stir in the eggs to get a rough, sticky dough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the second step, a circular scanning is implemented to get a rough outer contour.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Try to get a rough idea of who writes what.

WikiHow

With that data on hand, the first thing was to get a general overview.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When starting research on a new topic, use "to get a rough overview" as a starting point before diving into specific details. This helps structure your learning process effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "to get a rough overview" as an excuse for inadequate preparation or research. While it's fine for initial familiarization, ensure you delve deeper when required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to get a rough overview" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of gaining a basic, initial understanding of a topic or situation. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to get a rough overview" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for acquiring a preliminary understanding of a subject. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and offers diverse examples from news, science, and wiki sources. While versatile, remember its informal nature and consider more formal alternatives in professional or academic writing. To enhance clarity, avoid mistaking a "rough overview" for a complete grasp of the topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to get a general idea

This phrase is a more common and slightly less formal way of expressing the same concept.

to gain a basic understanding

This alternative focuses on acquiring fundamental knowledge, simplifying the original intent.

to develop a general sense

This phrase emphasizes developing a feeling or intuition about something, rather than a detailed examination.

to acquire a preliminary idea

This alternative highlights the acquisition of an initial concept, implying a first step in understanding.

to form a broad impression

This phrase stresses the creation of a wide-ranging mental picture, suitable when details are less important.

to obtain a quick grasp

This alternative suggests a fast and facile understanding, ideal for time-constrained situations.

to get the gist

This is an informal way to say to understand the main points of something without needing all the details.

to familiarize oneself

This alternative emphasizes the process of becoming acquainted, suitable when adapting to new information.

to survey the landscape

This phrase offers a more metaphorical way to describe gaining a broad understanding, invoking a visual analogy.

to establish a baseline knowledge

This alternative focuses on setting a foundation of understanding, preparing for deeper exploration.

FAQs

How can I use "to get a rough overview" in a sentence?

You can use "to get a rough overview" to indicate a preliminary understanding of a topic. For example, "I read the introduction to get a rough overview of the book."

What are some alternatives to "to get a rough overview"?

You can use alternatives like "to get a general idea", "to gain a basic understanding", or "to develop a general sense".

Is it appropriate to use "to get a rough overview" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "to get a rough overview" is somewhat informal. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "to acquire a preliminary idea" or "to establish a baseline knowledge".

What does it mean "to get a rough overview" of something?

To "get a rough overview" means to obtain a basic or preliminary understanding of a subject, without necessarily delving into all the finer details. It's about grasping the main points initially.