a prior understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prior understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically refers to a past agreement that is used as a reference or basis for a subsequent action. For example, "We had a prior understanding that the project would be complete by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"What was the intent?" he said, "And how was it handled?" Ms. Arker's mother gave out her phone number without asking first, but she and her daughter had a prior understanding.

The New York Times

The argument developed here is that, at its core, the do-construction is used to index a contrast with a prior understanding.

Journal of Pragmatics

The meaning of this word cannot be grasped independently of a prior understanding of the notion of a circle.

SEP

Effective injury prevention, patient care and rehabilitation all require a prior understanding of injury epidemiology in order to develop an effective response.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Perhaps the implicit reason is that an understanding of when it is appropriate to dissolve a love depends on a prior understanding of when it is appropriate to continue a love; nonetheless, it is not obvious that the two questions shouldn't be addressed together.

SEP

The full philosophical import of his Reduction Thesis, and the philosophical importance of his triadism insofar as this triadism rests on his Reduction Thesis, cannot be ascertained without a prior understanding of his non-typical theory of identity and his special view of the fundamental nature of the relative product operation.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In both cases, the entry point proved to be genetic screens that allowed molecules needed for mechanosensation to be identified without any prior understanding of the likely components.

Stanford University

Israel, on the other hand wants to restart the talks unconditionally with no regard to any prior understanding.

Huffington Post

Students "get to universities and we expect them to behave like they're supposed to without any prior understanding of what consent looks like," Meghan Warner, director of the Associated Students of the University of California Sexual Assault Commission and a UC Berkeley student who endorsed the demands, told The Huffington Post.

Huffington Post

The GWAS approach can elucidate the molecular basis for disease without any prior understanding of the biology underlying the disease.

Critical Care

The perception of information is instead an active construction process, based on an individual's prior understanding.

Educational Psychologist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a prior understanding", ensure that the context clearly indicates what that understanding entails. Be specific about the content of the prior knowledge or agreement.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience shares the same "prior understanding" as you. Provide necessary context or background information to ensure clarity and prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prior understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to existing knowledge or agreements that influence a current situation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prior understanding" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that signifies pre-existing knowledge or agreements. Ludwig's analysis reveals its prevalence across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While its usage is not exceedingly common, its presence in authoritative sources underscores its validity. To use the phrase effectively, ensure the context clarifies the nature of the prior understanding, and be mindful not to assume shared knowledge. According to Ludwig, the phrase generally follows standard English grammar and is acceptable. Therefore, writers should feel confident using "a prior understanding" when the situation warrants it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous comprehension

This alternative emphasizes the level of understanding already attained.

a pre-existing agreement

Emphasizes the agreement existed before the current situation.

a previous arrangement

Highlights the element of arrangement or plan made in the past.

an earlier consensus

Focuses on a previously reached agreement or shared opinion.

a preliminary agreement

This alternative focuses on the agreement aspect, implying it's initial or tentative.

a tacit agreement

Implies an unspoken or implied agreement that exists before.

a pre-established notion

Shifts the focus to a belief or idea that was already in place.

a background assumption

Focuses on the underlying, often unstated, assumption that influences understanding.

a foundation of knowledge

Highlights the idea that prior knowledge serves as a basis for further learning.

an existing knowledge base

This highlights the existing information or expertise one possesses.

FAQs

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

You can use "a prior understanding" to indicate that something is based on knowledge or agreements that were established earlier. For example, "The project's success relied on a prior understanding of the market trends."

What's a good alternative to "a prior understanding"?

Alternatives include "pre-existing agreement", "previous arrangement", or "background assumption" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to say "prior understanding" or "previous understanding"?

"Prior understanding" is generally preferred in more formal or technical contexts, while "previous understanding" is acceptable and may sound more natural in everyday conversation. They both convey the same basic meaning.

How does "a prior understanding" differ from "an assumption"?

"A prior understanding" suggests a degree of certainty or agreement based on past experience or communication. "An assumption", on the other hand, implies a belief or supposition that may or may not be supported by evidence. While related, "a prior understanding" is more grounded than a mere "an assumption".