to take an overview of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to take an overview of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are looking at the broad picture of a particular topic. For example, "I will take an overview of the company's current financial situation in order to identify areas of improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A new policy framework is needed to take an overview of the whole food system.

The Guardian

Writers, actors, designers and directors all cut their teeth in that environment … we need to take an overview of the cultural body politic".

The Guardian

"We will also introduce clinical senates where groups of doctors and healthcare professionals come together to take an overview of the integration of care across a wide area.

Independent

Delegates reported "tough going" and "frustratingly slow progress", as a key text that was supposed to be delivered overnight in its near-final draft form was delayed, and there has been little done so far to take an overview of all the four texts in circulation, which negotiators say is needed.

The Guardian

Asked him to take an overview of the situation and ensure timely assistance to those injured," he added.

BBC

But she said in most cases the full impact of abusive behaviour was not put before the court, because the current criminal law looked at individual incidents rather than being able to take an overview of a full pattern of behaviour.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In hindsight, and for the future, I would suggest appointing an editor in chief to take an overview and maintain a strong sense of context throughout the exercise while everyone else is frantically running round, posting content, tweeting and downing coffee.

The Guardian

So let's take an overview of the entire race, to begin with.

Huffington Post

Electoral courts currently take an overview of declared election contributions and compare it to what they believe is spent on the campaigns, including expenses for travel, media production, marketing, and infrastructure for rallies.

Vice

We also take an overview of the new emergent features coming out from the interplay between the structure and the function of the underlying patterns of connections.

Physics Reports

The theme for November will be 'Mobile Trends' which will take an overview of the mobile industry in the last year and discuss where it is going in the coming year(s).

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to take an overview of" when you need to present a broad, non-detailed perspective on a complex topic, such as in reports, presentations, or initial project assessments.

Common error

Avoid using "to take an overview of" when a detailed, granular analysis is required. This phrase is meant for broad assessments, not deep dives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to take an overview of" functions as an introductory verb phrase, setting the stage for a summarized or broad understanding of a topic. It indicates the act of acquiring a general perspective, rather than a detailed analysis, as supported by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to take an overview of" serves as an introductory verb phrase used to signal a broad, non-detailed assessment of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its application across diverse sources, including news, science, and general knowledge platforms. While adaptable for both professional and casual registers, it is most commonly found in news media and scientific publications. Remember, this phrase sets the stage for a summary rather than an in-depth analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to look at the overall perspective of

Stresses considering a subject from a high-level viewpoint.

to examine the big picture of

Emphasizes considering the overall context and broader implications.

to get a general idea of

Focuses on obtaining a basic understanding rather than a detailed analysis.

to review the entirety of

Highlights the comprehensive assessment of the whole situation.

to survey the landscape of

Uses a metaphorical term to suggest a broad exploration or assessment.

to assess comprehensively

Replaces the phrase with a more concise adverbial form.

to appreciate the scope of

Focuses on understanding the breadth or extent of something.

to grasp the full extent of

Highlights achieving a complete understanding of the matter.

to synthesize information about

Involves combining multiple sources to create a broad view.

to digest a bird's-eye view of

Uses idiomatic language to suggest understanding at a glance.

FAQs

How can I incorporate "to take an overview of" into a sentence?

You can use "to take an overview of" to introduce a summary or a broad assessment, like in the sentence, "Let's "take an overview of" the current market trends before making any investment decisions."

What are some alternatives to "to take an overview of"?

You can use alternatives such as "to survey", "to examine the big picture", or "to get a general idea" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Consider options like "to get a general idea of" or "to examine the big picture of".

Is it appropriate to use "to take an overview of" in formal writing?

Yes, "to take an overview of" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when introducing a summary or a broad assessment of a topic. However, in highly technical contexts, consider using more precise language if detail is required.

How does "to take an overview of" differ from "to analyze in detail"?

"To take an overview of" implies a general assessment, focusing on the main points without deep analysis. "To analyze in detail", on the other hand, suggests a thorough investigation of all aspects of a subject. The former is broad, while the latter is specific.