a bit of understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit of understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount of comprehension or insight about a topic or situation. Example: "In order to resolve the conflict, we need a bit of understanding from both parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"It took me a bit of understanding to realize how little he was planning to spend".

The New York Times

All I can ask for now is a bit of understanding.

Independent

It also helps to have a bit of understanding about how children develop and see the world.

The Guardian

Mr. Ramnarine showed at least a bit of understanding about how to engage in insider trading by using options, which can be far more lucrative because they require a much smaller up-front investment and can generate fat returns.

The New York Times

We are just asking for a bit of understanding from government.

BBC

"Practices tying in to mobile device usage, such as the use of public WiFi, certain apps and social media can be problematic if not used with a bit of understanding on how to protect yourself". Nearly 20% of respondents reported some form of ID theft.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

They were only youngsters, but they were looking at self help leaflets, motivation leaflets.… and she was then developing herself as an exercise counsellor and you could almost see this sort of, this sort of mixture of a motivator, an exercise counsellor, a little bit of understanding about cognitive behavioural things and making some changes and that sort of stuff.

BMC Family Practice

"I have a bit of trouble understanding why they're so cheap," he said.

The New York Times

The people of Liverpool are fantastic – so lovely and welcoming – though I have a bit of trouble understanding the accent.

The Guardian

It seems that Lt. Col. Wiegel is having a bit of trouble understanding his own "Command Philosophy," in which he states: "Everyone wearing the uniform has sworn an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and this oath provides the guideposts of what our country expects in return".

Huffington Post

I think he's got a bit of an understanding problem.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit of understanding" to express that only a small amount of comprehension or empathy is needed or present. It's often used when requesting leniency or patience.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit of understanding" when a more thorough or complete comprehension is actually required. In situations demanding expertise or in-depth analysis, opt for phrases like "a comprehensive understanding" or "a deep knowledge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit of understanding" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or verb. It typically expresses the need for or possession of a small degree of comprehension or empathy. As Ludwig AI reports, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit of understanding" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for expressing the need for, or offering, a limited amount of comprehension or empathy. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media, while maintaining a neutral tone. When using the phrase, consider whether a "comprehensive understanding" is truly needed. The examples gathered by Ludwig demonstrate its usage in requesting leniency and acknowledging the importance of empathy in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount of understanding

Replaces "bit" with "small amount", providing a more literal description of the quantity.

a glimmer of understanding

Replaces "bit" with "glimmer", suggesting a faint or initial comprehension.

a modicum of understanding

Substitutes "bit" with "modicum", indicating a small but sufficient amount of understanding.

a degree of understanding

Replaces "bit" with "degree", suggesting a measured level of comprehension.

a touch of understanding

Uses "touch" instead of "bit", implying a delicate or subtle sense of comprehension.

a hint of understanding

Replaces "bit" with "hint", suggesting a slight indication or suggestion of understanding.

some level of comprehension

Focuses on the comprehension aspect, using "some level" to indicate a non-specific amount.

a rudimentary understanding

Adjective substitution with "rudimentary" to suggest a fundamental, undeveloped level of understanding.

a basic grasp of

Shifts the focus to having a fundamental understanding of a topic.

an elementary knowledge of

Highlights the rudimentary nature of the knowledge possessed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a bit of understanding" to request leniency or patience, as in "All I ask is for "a bit of understanding" while I learn the new system". It expresses a need for a small amount of comprehension or empathy.

What can I say instead of "a bit of understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "a small amount of understanding", "a touch of understanding", or "a hint of understanding" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a bit of understanding"?

While grammatically correct, using "a bit of understanding" may be inappropriate if a more thorough or complete comprehension is required. In such cases, phrases like "a comprehensive understanding" would be more fitting.

What's the difference between "a bit of understanding" and "a lot of understanding"?

"A bit of understanding" implies a small or limited amount of comprehension, while "a lot of understanding" suggests a significant or substantial amount of comprehension. The choice depends on the degree of comprehension you want to convey.