a functional understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a functional understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a practical or applicable level of knowledge about a subject or concept. Example: "To succeed in this role, you need a functional understanding of project management principles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

To achieve a functional understanding of the DEGs, we then probed their biological function using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis tool (IPA) which curates biological function based on annotated ontologies.

BMC Systems Biology

For this reason, nowadays, it is generally acknowledged that for achieving a functional understanding of biological systems, the genes in a cell need to be studied as a functioning collective [ 2, 3, 7].

Biology Direct

The research concluded that the response suggested the horses had a functional understanding of the angry faces they were seeing.

Independent

What the medical community needs is better class prediction based upon a functional understanding of the individual genomic mechanisms involved.

The New York Times

(Without hand-holding, Yoon ensures that even foreigners without a functional understanding of late-20th-century Korean history can keep up). The South's National Intelligence Service (NIS), represented primarily in Park's orbit by Choi, had other plans.

The Guardian - Film

Our ultimate goal is to answer fundamental questions about the origins of lipid membranes and build a functional understanding of the diverse array of lipids present in life today.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

She has a propensity for profanity, a love of laying on the horn and a barely functional understanding of how a motor vehicle works. .

Los Angeles Times

Taken together, our results provide a basis for a deeper functional understanding of the action and side-effects of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs in the general population.

European Journal of Epidemiology

The assignment of cell types to candidate genes provides a first step towards an improved functional understanding of susceptibility variants.

BMC Medical Genomics

For Delphi, this partnership will provide access to testing on a wide range of vehicle types across a wide variety of service settings, and it gives them someone to work with who already has a deep functional understanding of current urban transit and the challenges therein.

TechCrunch

Other studies also indicate that the latter step is important for a more functional understanding of pharmacology concepts [ 16].

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a functional understanding of" to indicate a practical, rather than theoretical, grasp of a subject. This implies the ability to use knowledge effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "a functional understanding of" when describing purely theoretical knowledge. This phrase implies an ability to apply knowledge in practice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a functional understanding of" serves as a qualifier, indicating that someone has practical or operational knowledge of a particular subject or skill. Ludwig shows that this phrase is often used when discussing abilities in science, technology, or other practical fields.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a functional understanding of" denotes practical knowledge, emphasizing the ability to apply concepts effectively. Ludwig highlights its frequent use in science, news, and academia. It’s crucial for indicating an operational grasp rather than mere theoretical awareness. When writing, remember this phrase implies active application, and ensure your context aligns. Alternatives like "a working knowledge of" or "a practical understanding of" can offer subtle variations. The phrase follows standard grammar rules, as confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a working knowledge of

Focuses on practical application rather than deep theoretical knowledge.

a practical understanding of

Emphasizes the ability to apply knowledge in real-world situations.

an operational understanding of

Highlights the ability to use knowledge to make something function effectively.

a solid grasp of

Implies a firm and comprehensive understanding.

a proficient awareness of

Suggests a high degree of skill and understanding.

a competent handling of

Highlights the ability to manage or deal with something effectively.

a decent command of

Suggests a reasonable level of control or skill.

a basic literacy in

Indicates a fundamental understanding, often used for technical fields.

a familiarity with

Implies a casual or introductory level of understanding.

an acquaintance with

Suggests a superficial or minimal understanding.

FAQs

How to use "a functional understanding of" in a sentence?

Use "a functional understanding of" to describe someone's practical grasp of a subject, for example: "To troubleshoot effectively, you need "a functional understanding of" the system's architecture".

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

You can use alternatives like "a working knowledge of", "a practical understanding of", or "an operational understanding of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a functional understanding of" or "a theoretical understanding of"?

Both are correct, but they describe different types of knowledge. "A functional understanding of" emphasizes practical application, while "a theoretical understanding of" focuses on conceptual knowledge.

What's the difference between "a functional understanding of" and "a deep understanding of"?

"A functional understanding of" means you can use the knowledge effectively, whereas "a deep understanding of" suggests a thorough and comprehensive knowledge base.