a distinct understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinct understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a clear and specific comprehension of a particular subject or concept. Example: "To excel in this field, one must have a distinct understanding of the underlying principles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The sheer inventiveness of the different kinds of animation sometimes gets in the way of the story about a war photographer travelling to conflict zones around the world, but this is a genuinely exciting young company who are clearly brimful of ideas and who have a distinct understanding of the multiple possibilities of puppetry.

The Guardian

The paper introduces a new methodological perspective to the process of place making based upon a distinct understanding of space.

City, Territory and Architecture

For a good survey of this question, and a defense of a distinct understanding of biological function in the domain of comparative morphology, see Amundson and Lauder,1998.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The research will give a distinct understanding for the formation of the subsurface deformed layers and the effect of cutting parameter on the evolution of the SSD layers, and underpin the scientific development of nano-cutting.

Nanoscale Research Letters

What we found is that when you go to places like Myanmar, Libya, Tunisia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, people do not really seem to have any distinct understanding of privacy as opposed to security.

Huffington Post

"We're playing with a huge amount of confidence, we've got a very distinct understanding of what our strategy is and what our game plan is, and everyone's singing off the same hymn sheet.

The Guardian - Sport

Just as important as gaining a clear and distinct understanding of these labels is gaining an appreciation of what of real consequence turns on the debate.

SEP

She is also known for her distinct understanding of the game, which has led to her developing "a great football IQ".

Wikipedia

MBAs are just different I think that the myth that entrepreneurs and MBA programmes are incompatible is down to our distinct understanding of risk.

The Economist

In Ruism, this distinct understanding of 'dynamic harmony' is nicely summarized by Confucius in Analects, 13:23: 'The noble-person searches for harmony without uniformity, but the petty-person searches for uniformity without harmony'.

Huffington Post

It's have to include the recognition of distinct understandings of place, society and governance outside of a Eurocentric capitalist context.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distinct understanding of" when you want to emphasize that someone possesses a particularly clear, specific, and well-defined comprehension of a subject. This suggests a level of understanding that goes beyond basic familiarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a distinct understanding of" if the context only implies a general awareness or basic knowledge. This phrase suggests a deeper, more specialized comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinct understanding of" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, indicating a specific quality or characteristic. It denotes a clear and well-defined comprehension of a particular subject, as supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distinct understanding of" is a phrase that conveys a clear, precise, and specific comprehension of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its use in various contexts, particularly in science, news media, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that the context truly reflects a deep and specialized knowledge, rather than just a general awareness. Alternatives such as "a clear grasp of" or "a precise comprehension of" may be suitable depending on the nuance required. While the phrase is uncommon, it adds sophistication to your writing, especially in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clear grasp of

Focuses on the clarity and firmness of comprehension.

a precise comprehension of

Emphasizes the accuracy and thoroughness of understanding.

a deep insight into

Highlights the depth and penetration of understanding.

a thorough knowledge of

Stresses the completeness and extensiveness of knowledge.

a firm appreciation for

Emphasizes a strong and positive understanding.

a specialized expertise in

Indicates a high level of skill and knowledge in a specific area.

a comprehensive awareness of

Highlights a broad and complete understanding.

a nuanced appreciation of

Emphasizes the subtle and detailed nature of understanding.

an acute perception of

Focuses on the sharpness and sensitivity of understanding.

a sophisticated understanding of

Indicates an advanced and refined level of comprehension.

FAQs

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

You can use "a distinct understanding of" to emphasize a clear and specific comprehension. For instance, "To excel in this role, you need a distinct understanding of the market trends".

What are some alternatives to "a distinct understanding of"?

Alternatives include "a clear grasp of", "a precise comprehension of", or "a deep insight into". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, you may use "a clear grasp of" for a general understanding or "a deep insight into" for a more profound comprehension.

Is it more formal to say "a distinct understanding of" or "a good understanding of"?

"A distinct understanding of" tends to be more formal and emphasizes a more precise and specialized comprehension compared to "a good understanding of", which is more general.

What is the difference between "a distinct understanding of" and "a general understanding of"?

"A distinct understanding of" implies a clear, specific, and well-defined comprehension, while "a general understanding of" suggests a broader, less detailed comprehension. "Distinct" indicates a higher level of clarity and precision.