understanding of the fundamentals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understanding of the fundamentals" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's grasp or comprehension of basic principles or concepts in a particular field or subject. Example: "A solid understanding of the fundamentals is essential for success in advanced mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"People have a really good understanding of the fundamentals of what's going on," he said.

The New York Times - Science

demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals of genetics, genomics, and molecular and cellular biology.

Stanford University

Mechanical engineering students acquire an understanding of the fundamentals of mechanics and of the thermal energy sciences.

Yale University

Training in the Fluid Mechanics group provides students with an understanding of the fundamentals of fluid flow.

University of California, Berkeley

The goal is to give employees a working understanding of the fundamentals of the printing business and hence of the numbers on the plant's monthly scoreboard.

Harvard Business Review

With only weeks of fighting experience, they lack an understanding of the fundamentals of offensive and defensive combat, or how to organize fire support.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

As we are beginning to understand the neural representation of space, our understanding of the fundamental mechanics of the brain and how it computes complex information is growing.

The Guardian

By the end of the evening, you'll have a firm understanding of the fundamental rules of grammar and punctuation.

The Guardian

Quantum field theories underlie all of our understanding of the fundamental forces of nature.

Journal of Computational Physics

These data enhance our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that mediate muscle reprogramming and remodeling in vivo.

Nature

Other factors included low levels of educational achievement, absent fathers during childhood and a minimal understanding of the fundamental tenets of Islam.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "understanding of the fundamentals" in your writing, ensure that the context clearly defines which specific fundamentals are being referred to. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "understanding of the fundamentals" as a substitute for specific knowledge. If possible, elaborate on the specific fundamentals to demonstrate a deeper grasp and enhance your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understanding of the fundamentals" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the cognitive state of comprehending basic principles. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

34%

Science

32%

News & Media

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "understanding of the fundamentals" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that signifies a comprehension of basic principles. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse fields, including academia, science, and news media, indicating a neutral to formal register. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to specify which fundamentals are being referenced. While alternatives like "grasp of the basics" or "knowledge of the essentials" exist, "understanding of the fundamentals" remains a robust and frequently employed expression to emphasize the importance of foundational knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grasp of the basics

Emphasizes initial learning and basic elements, differing slightly from a more in-depth understanding.

knowledge of the essentials

Highlights essential aspects instead of all fundamental components.

comprehension of core principles

Focuses on the core principles rather than the broad scope of fundamentals.

familiarity with the groundwork

Implies a basic acquaintance, less comprehensive than full understanding.

awareness of the underlying concepts

Stresses the awareness of concepts that support a broader topic.

insight into the key elements

Focuses on key elements, suggesting a deeper, more perceptive grasp.

mastery of the foundational aspects

Implies a high level of skill and control over basic foundational elements.

appreciation for the rudimentary aspects

Highlights the value and importance attached to elementary aspects.

recognition of the basic tenets

Focuses on recognizing and acknowledging the core beliefs or principles.

background in the elementary ideas

Suggests a basic level of experience or education in elementary concepts.

FAQs

How can I use "understanding of the fundamentals" in a sentence?

You can use "understanding of the fundamentals" to describe a grasp of basic principles. For example, "A solid "understanding of the fundamentals" is crucial for success in this course."

What are some alternatives to "understanding of the fundamentals"?

Alternatives include "grasp of the basics", "knowledge of the essentials", or "comprehension of core principles", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "understanding of fundamentals" or "understanding of the fundamentals"?

"Understanding of the fundamentals" is generally preferred because it implies a specific set of core principles relevant to the context. "Understanding of fundamentals" is less specific.

What does it mean to have an "understanding of the fundamentals"?

Having an "understanding of the fundamentals" means you possess a firm grasp and comprehension of the core concepts, basic principles, and foundational elements within a particular subject or field. This enables effective application and further learning.