a substantial understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's depth of knowledge or comprehension about a particular subject or topic. Example: "To excel in this field, one must have a substantial understanding of the underlying principles and theories."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In turn, test users should have a substantial understanding of the technical and administrative test requirements and the system requirements for test takers (ITC 2006, p. 148, 2005a, p. 15).

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

However, to obtain internal information on the general commercial FEA codes (e.g., MSC.NASTRAN, ANSYS, and ABAQUS), a substantial understanding of the codes and additional post-processing work is required.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A more substantial understanding of electronics serves well to understand the microcomputer.

Apple I Replica Creation Back to the Garage

These advances are based on a more substantial understanding of the factors restricting effective immune therapies that has been derived from the study of pre-clinical models of tumour growth in immune competent mice.

British Journal of Cancer

While a dedicated, collaborative international effort has resulted in substantial understanding of this disease with remarkable speed, critical information is still lacking.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

BMW engineers say they have acquired substantial understanding of how to make the motor work best with the battery array, which would be a competitive advantage.

The New York Times

No student should graduate from medical school without substantial understanding of these matters [ 8, 10].

BMC Medical Education

We now have substantial understanding of the nature, sources, propagation, and information content of gene expression noise.

ACS Synthetic Biology

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.09638.002 Advances in cell biology, genetics, and systems biology have led to substantial understanding of how cells perform complex tasks precisely.

eLife

The substantial understanding of formaldehyde kinetics and toxicogenomics in the upper respiratory tract plays an important supporting role in subsequent discussions of sensory irritation as well as both nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia.

Critical Reviews in Toxicology

Here, we further discuss why our current study provides a substantial new understanding of visual cortical correlation patterns beyond what previously has been shown: 1) We demonstrated a topography of correlation patterns that reflects the underlying, fine-scale eccentricity organization.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision in technical or academic writing, "a substantial understanding of" is appropriate for indicating a significant but not necessarily exhaustive level of knowledge. Use it to convey that the subject has more than a basic familiarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial understanding of" when describing introductory-level knowledge. The phrase implies a depth of understanding that wouldn't be applicable to a beginner's grasp of a topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial understanding of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the degree of comprehension or knowledge one possesses regarding a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

17%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial understanding of" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, used to describe someone's significant level of knowledge or comprehension about a topic. Ludwig AI confirms this correct usage. While categorized as uncommon, it is prevalent across scientific and news media. For alternatives, consider "a comprehensive grasp of" or "a thorough knowledge of". Be mindful not to overstate the level of understanding when using the phrase, ensuring it aligns with the context of the subject's knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive grasp of

Replaces "substantial understanding" with a more intense level of comprehension.

a thorough knowledge of

Emphasizes the completeness of the knowledge.

a deep insight into

Focuses on having a profound understanding.

a solid command of

Indicates a firm and confident understanding.

a working knowledge of

Suggests a practical understanding sufficient for application.

a good handle on

Suggests practical ability and understanding.

a significant awareness of

Highlights being informed and conscious of something.

an extensive acquaintance with

Suggests familiarity through prolonged or detailed exposure.

a considerable expertise in

Emphasizes specialized skill or knowledge.

a proficient level of understanding of

Highlights competence and skill in understanding the subject.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial understanding of" to indicate a significant, but not necessarily exhaustive, level of knowledge about a topic. For example, "A successful engineer requires "a substantial understanding of" thermodynamics".

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

Alternatives include "a comprehensive grasp of", "a thorough knowledge of", or "a deep insight into" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "substantial knowledge" or "substantial understanding"?

Both "substantial knowledge" and "substantial understanding" are acceptable, but "substantial understanding" emphasizes comprehension and insight, while "substantial knowledge" highlights the amount of information known.

What level of expertise does "a substantial understanding of" imply?

It implies a level beyond basic familiarity, suggesting a solid grasp of core concepts and principles, but not necessarily mastery or exhaustive knowledge. It means you're able to apply the knowledge in practical situations.