Understanding of how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Understanding of how" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the comprehension or knowledge of a particular process or concept. Example: "My understanding of how the system operates has improved significantly after the training session."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It provides a good understanding of how the power flows".

The New York Times

I appreciate their understanding of how I think".

The New York Times - Sports

Our understanding of how oceans work has changed, too.

The New York Times

[Roberts] has no understanding of how science works.

The Guardian

To answer that requires an understanding of how rankings work.

The Guardian

"Pupils have an insecure understanding of how Britain is comprised.

The Guardian

Analytical understanding of how stress concentrates is invaluable.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

3. Broadening the understanding of how markets work.

Harvard Business Review

But it does inform our understanding of how Lincoln won.

The Washington Post

The finding challenges current understanding of how black holes form.

MIT Technology Review

Geneticists obviously have an incomplete understanding of how genes interact.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "understanding of how" when you want to express a comprehensive knowledge of a process, system, or concept. It implies more than just knowing facts; it suggests grasping the underlying mechanisms.

Common error

Don't use "understanding of how" in contexts where a simpler word like "knowledge" or "awareness" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understanding of how" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the state of comprehending a process or system. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "understanding of how" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to convey comprehension of a process or concept. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, with a tendency towards more formal or professional settings such as news, academia, and science. Alternative phrases include "knowledge of how" and "grasp of how", offering similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. While generally versatile, it's best to avoid overusing the phrase in simple explanations where simpler words like "knowledge" or "awareness" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Comprehension of how

A more formal synonym for understanding, emphasizing thoroughness.

Knowledge of how

Focuses on possessing information regarding a process, rather than the act of understanding it.

Grasp of how

Emphasizes a firm and comprehensive understanding, suggesting a strong command of the subject.

Insight into how

Highlights a deeper, more perceptive understanding, often implying discovery or revelation.

Appreciation of how

Suggests an understanding combined with a sense of value or significance.

Realization of how

Suggests a sudden understanding or coming to terms with a process.

Awareness of how

Indicates a basic level of understanding, often implying an initial recognition of a process.

Familiarity with how

Implies a comfortable and practical understanding, often gained through experience.

Perception of how

Highlights the way something is interpreted or regarded.

Acumen in how

Highlights sharpness and quickness in understanding and dealing with a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "understanding of how" in a sentence?

You can use "understanding of how" to describe your comprehension of a specific process or concept. For example, "My understanding of how the algorithm works has improved since the training."

What are some alternatives to "understanding of how"?

Alternatives include "knowledge of how", "grasp of how", or "comprehension of how", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it better to say "understanding of how" or "understanding about how"?

"Understanding of how" is generally preferred over "understanding about how". The former is more concise and grammatically standard.

How does "understanding of how" differ from "awareness of how"?

"Understanding of how" implies a deeper, more thorough comprehension, while "awareness of how" suggests a basic recognition or initial knowledge.