to get an overview of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to get an overview of" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase implies gaining an understanding of the general characteristics of something by looking at it in a broad, non-specific way. For example, "I read several reviews to get an overview of the new video game before I purchased it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was really useful to get an overview of the organisation.

The Guardian - Money

The process began with an analyst reading a transcript to get an overview of its contents.

The Guardian

"It's a great way to get an overview of Finnish design today," she said.

The New York Times - Travel

Sometimes it's good to get an overview of all the fund types and their risks.

The New York Times

"You can press compare to get an overview of all the courses that you're interested in listed side-by-side.

The Guardian

Generally I will read the abstract, introduction, and discussion first to get an overview of the research.

The Guardian

There are other options for harbor cruises, and what better way to get an overview of Lower Manhattan?

The New York Times

But as we played with it we discovered that it's good for glancing the headlines to get an overview of what's going on.

The Guardian

To get an overview of this complex dataset we developed a dedicated visualization tool.

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine

The MS uses GridVis to get an overview of the grid and to control energy costs.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

We have shown both scenario and confusion matrix to get an overview of the performance.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to get an overview of" when you want to convey the idea of acquiring a general understanding without delving into intricate details. It's suitable for introductions, summaries, and initial explorations of a subject.

Common error

Avoid using "to get an overview of" when the context requires detailed analysis or specific expertise. This phrase is best for conveying a general understanding, not a comprehensive examination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to get an overview of" serves as an infinitive phrase indicating the purpose or intention behind an action. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests gaining a general understanding or summary of a topic. It often functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by explaining why something is being done.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to get an overview of" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the act of obtaining a general understanding of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intention of conveying a broad perspective rather than an in-depth analysis. If a more detailed understanding is required, consider alternatives like "to conduct an in-depth analysis of" or "to examine thoroughly."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to obtain an overview of

Replaces "get" with "obtain", indicating a more formal acquisition of knowledge.

to receive an overview of

Substitutes "get" with "receive", implying the overview is being provided by someone or something else.

to take an overview of

Replaces "get" with "take", suggesting a more active approach to understanding the topic.

to get a sense of

Offers a less formal way to describe gaining an understanding.

to get the gist of

Indicates grasping the main idea or essence of something, often in a quick or informal manner.

to familiarize oneself with

Implies becoming acquainted with the basic aspects of a subject.

to understand the basics of

Focuses on comprehending the fundamental elements of a topic.

to gain insight into

Suggests acquiring a deeper understanding or perspective.

to survey

A more concise term indicating a broad examination of a subject.

to review

Implies a more structured and possibly critical examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "to get an overview of" to introduce a summary or initial understanding of a topic. For instance, "I read the abstract "to get an overview of" the research before diving into the details."

What can I say instead of "to get an overview of"?

You can use alternatives like "to obtain an overview of", "to get a sense of", or "to familiarize oneself with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to get an overview of" or "to get a overview of"?

"To get an overview of" is correct. The indefinite article "an" is used before the noun "overview" because it begins with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "to get an overview of" and "to conduct an in-depth analysis of"?

"To get an overview of" implies gaining a general understanding, whereas "to conduct an in-depth analysis of" suggests a thorough and detailed examination. The former is broad, the latter is specific.