a reasonable understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"a reasonable understanding" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a level of understanding that is fair, practical, and logical. Examples: - It's important for a teacher to have a reasonable understanding of their students' needs and abilities. - The judge asked the witness if they had a reasonable understanding of the events that took place. - Sarah was able to come to a reasonable understanding of the instructions after reading them a few times. - Negotiations cannot move forward without a reasonable understanding of each party's goals and expectations. - It's difficult to reach a compromise without a reasonable understanding of the other person's perspective.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

And while some went into marriage with a reasonable understanding of sex, others did not.

The New Yorker

It is both elegant and sensual, and the architects seem to have a reasonable understanding of the patterns of normal life.

The New Yorker

About 1 million people claimed to have used signing to watch television but further research revealed that only about 66,000 had a reasonable understanding of sign language.

The Guardian

Rehabilitation is about reintegration into society, with the fundamental basis of this a reasonable understanding that the individual will not reoffend.

Independent

Inside the factory, the time-consuming work was as challenging as a skilled trades position in a car plant, demanding precision, attention to detail and a reasonable understanding of helicopter mechanics.

The New York Times

In his report, DCI MacDonald concluded: "Whilst a reasonable understanding of the issues and events has been developed, reaching a definitive conclusion is not and may never be possible".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Well, any reasonable understanding of civic participation has to include the idea of voluntarism.

Los Angeles Times

Amy Baehr suggests that arguments to feminist ends from public political values can move the political community toward a more reasonable understanding of those values (Baehr 2013; see also Rawls 1993, 227).

SEP

The physical models implemented in the numerical method were tentatively verified by using a scale-down mock-up test, and it was confirmed that the analysis model and its assumptions feasibly replicate the overall system transients with a physically reasonable understanding.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

With that decision, the court "contravened settled principles governing the deference due to an administrative agency's reasonable understanding of its own decisions", according to the DOJ writ.

The Guardian

Below the announcement on Facebook, however, there has also been a surprising amount of reserved and reasonable understanding, the kind of thing that the company has, until this point, extended to its customers — an expression of, Well, that's a shame, but we get it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, ensure that you use "a reasonable understanding" to indicate a level of comprehension that is practical and sufficient for the given context. Avoid using it when a deeper, more comprehensive understanding is required.

Common error

Avoid using "a reasonable understanding" when the situation demands expert-level knowledge or complete mastery. Using it in such contexts can create a false impression of competence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable understanding" functions as a noun phrase, where "reasonable" modifies the noun "understanding". It describes the quality or extent of someone's comprehension. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science & Research

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reasonable understanding" is a versatile phrase indicating a level of comprehension that is practical and adequate. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent use across diverse domains. It's commonly found in news and media as well as scientific publications, showcasing its broad applicability. While the phrase implies neither expertise nor ignorance, it denotes enough comprehension to be effective in a given situation. As such, remember to use it when expressing sufficient, rather than exhaustive, comprehension is key to the message. This ensures appropriate communication across different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sound grasp

Emphasizes a firm and secure understanding.

a good command

Highlights proficiency and control over a subject.

a solid knowledge

Focuses on the depth and reliability of information known.

a fair appraisal

Implies an objective and balanced assessment.

an adequate insight

Suggests having sufficient understanding, although possibly not complete.

a working knowledge

Highlights the practical application of understanding.

a basic familiarity

Implies a superficial level of understanding.

a general awareness

Focuses on a broad and non-specific understanding.

a sensible appreciation

Emphasizes an understanding that is grounded in good judgment and practicality.

a practical comprehension

Highlights an understanding that is based on real-world experience.

FAQs

What does "a reasonable understanding" mean?

The phrase "a reasonable understanding" refers to a level of knowledge or comprehension that is sufficient, practical, and logical for a particular purpose or context. It implies neither complete mastery nor ignorance, but rather an adequate grasp of the subject matter.

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

You can use "a reasonable understanding" to describe someone's grasp of a concept, their ability to perform a task, or the level of knowledge needed for a specific situation. For example, "The job requires "a reasonable understanding" of accounting principles".

What are some alternatives to "a reasonable understanding"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a sound grasp", "a solid knowledge", or "a working knowledge". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to have "a reasonable understanding" or a complete understanding?

It depends on the situation. A complete understanding is always ideal, but often unnecessary or unattainable. "A reasonable understanding" is sufficient when you need an adequate level of knowledge to function effectively, without requiring expert-level mastery.