a clear understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone has a thorough grasp of the facts, or when a situation or issue has been thoroughly discussed and clarified. For example: "The conversation left us with a clear understanding of the task at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without a clear understanding of these activities it is impossible to explain and understand biological invasions.

Environmental Sciences Europe

In Republicans there is a clear understanding".

The New York Times

None had a clear understanding of their rights.

The New York Times

He has a clear understanding of what our program is.

The New York Times - Sports

From the beginning we had a clear understanding".

The Guardian - Sport

So she has a clear understanding of working with children.

The Guardian - Film

A clear understanding of their fundamental causes can minimize defects.

Foundry Technology

"From that there's a clear understanding now, from that everybody's 100 percent on the same page, from that everybody has a clear understanding of the tactics.

The New York Times - Sports

The modular structure means you cover the ground systematically, with a clear understanding of context.

The Guardian - Opinion

Without a clear understanding of yeasts, brewers of yore had relatively little control over their product.

The New York Times - Food

The American people still do not have a clear understanding of why we are in Iraq.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a clear understanding", ensure that the context clarifies what is being understood to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "They have a clear understanding", specify "They have a clear understanding of the project goals".

Common error

While "a clear understanding" is a useful phrase, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "thorough grasp" or "solid comprehension" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear understanding" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It often serves as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition, denoting the state of comprehending something thoroughly. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase is used to describe the necessity of grasping information accurately.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clear understanding" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies a thorough and unambiguous comprehension of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to ensure the context specifies what is being understood to avoid ambiguity. While versatile, consider varying your language with synonyms like "thorough grasp" or "solid comprehension" to enhance the readability of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solid comprehension

Highlights the robustness and reliability of the understanding.

a thorough grasp

Emphasizes completeness and depth of understanding.

a precise knowledge

Focuses on accuracy and detail in understanding.

a complete awareness

Stresses full consciousness and understanding of the situation.

a firm command

Suggests control and expertise derived from understanding.

a working knowledge

Implies practical understanding sufficient for application.

an accurate perception

Highlights the correctness of the understanding or view.

a deep insight

Implies an understanding that goes beyond the surface level.

a good handle

Informal way of saying you have control due to understanding.

a full appreciation

Conveys understanding combined with valuing the importance.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "a clear understanding" to indicate comprehension or knowledge. For example, "The team needs "a clear understanding" of the new regulations".

What are some alternatives to "a clear understanding"?

Alternatives include "a thorough grasp", "a solid comprehension", or "a precise knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "clear understanding" or "a clear understanding"?

The use of the article "a" depends on the sentence structure. Use "a clear understanding" when it functions as a noun phrase in a sentence, like "Having "a clear understanding" is essential". If you're using it attributively, such as "clear understanding of the rules", the article is not necessary.

What does it mean to have "a clear understanding" of something?

To have "a clear understanding" means possessing a thorough and unambiguous comprehension of a subject or situation, enabling effective and informed decision-making or action.