a narrow understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"a narrow understanding" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it to express that someone has a limited view of a particular topic. For example, "He had a narrow understanding of the economic implications of his decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

No, it is not, and to see it as such betrays a narrow understanding of today's interdependent world.

The Guardian - Opinion

It also flies against the prevailing headwinds of individualism, nationalism and a narrow understanding of self-preservation.

The Guardian

The artist also believes that people in marginalized communities feel that arbiters of mainstream culture have a narrow understanding of who they are.

The New York Times

However, these add up to political disdain only if you embrace a narrow understanding of the political, centered on the offices and mechanisms of the state.

The New Yorker

Let's be honest: if cultural value is dictated by an entrenched elite, is it any surprise that we have such a narrow understanding of what and who we are?

The Guardian

While there was no indication these were anything but expressions of broad Christian views, the Rev. Philip Eichner, the school's president, described the family as possessing a narrow understanding of Christianity, bordering on fundamentalism.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Going beyond a narrower understanding of language and taking a performatory stance on doing language, "Communication = Languaging = Meaning-making" (Bagga-Gupta and Dahlberg 2018) irrespective of the number of language-varieties or language-modalities (oral, written, signed, etc).

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Eventually, this understanding led to a reluctance of researchers to address the link between science, technology and industrial development, a reliance of policymakers on market mechanisms to support technological developments and a narrower understanding of innovation which was limited to R&D exclusively.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

It must either be shown to directly cause actual physical violence to others (e.g., murder, rape, assault, battery), on a narrower understanding of "harm"; or to deliberately or negligently violate sufficiently important interests or rights of others, on a broader, interest-based conception of "harm".

SEP

Thus, with a narrower understanding of civic integration as a certain set of integration requirements, we run the risk of losing sight of why – i.e., according to which selection criteria – these requirements and indicators were chosen in the first place.

Comparative Migration Studies

While context-awareness is crucial for intelligent environments to provide effective decisions and actions, a danger is focusing on a too narrow understanding of the context recognition problem.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing someone's understanding, be specific about what aspects are narrow and what broader perspective is needed. Instead of saying "He has a narrow understanding", specify "He has a narrow understanding of the historical context, focusing only on economic factors."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a narrow understanding" necessarily implies complete ignorance. It often means a limited focus or a lack of nuance, not necessarily a total absence of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a narrow understanding" functions as a noun phrase, where "narrow" modifies "understanding". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing the quality or characteristic of someone's comprehension of a particular subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a narrow understanding" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a limited or incomplete comprehension of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across various contexts. While the phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Science, usage in formal and business contexts is also observed. It is important to be specific about what aspects are narrow and to avoid overgeneralizing the scope of the narrowness, focusing instead on the need for a more complete and nuanced perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited perspective

Focuses on the scope of viewpoint rather than the depth of comprehension.

a restricted viewpoint

Highlights the constrained nature of the perspective.

a superficial grasp

Emphasizes a lack of deep or thorough comprehension.

a shallow interpretation

Points to a lack of depth in the analysis or understanding.

a simplistic view

Suggests an oversimplified understanding of a complex issue.

a tunnel vision approach

Implies a focus on only one aspect, ignoring other relevant factors.

a biased interpretation

Highlights the presence of prejudice or partiality in understanding.

a parochial outlook

Emphasizes a limited, local, or narrow-minded perspective.

a constrained knowledge

Focuses on the limited amount of information or awareness.

a rudimentary comprehension

Suggests a basic and undeveloped level of understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "a narrow understanding" to describe someone's limited comprehension of a subject. For example, "The policy was based on a narrow understanding of the community's needs."

What are some alternatives to saying "a narrow understanding"?

Alternatives include "a limited perspective", "a superficial grasp", or "a simplistic view" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to have "a narrow understanding"?

While often implying a deficiency, "a narrow understanding" isn't always negative. In certain contexts, focusing narrowly can be beneficial, but it's crucial to acknowledge the broader context for a more complete picture.

What's the difference between "a narrow understanding" and "a misunderstanding"?

"A narrow understanding" implies limited scope or depth of knowledge, whereas "a misunderstanding" implies an incorrect or inaccurate comprehension of something.