a substantive understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantive understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a deep or meaningful comprehension of a subject or topic. Example: "To excel in this field, one must have a substantive understanding of the underlying principles and theories."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"There should be a substantive understanding of the Indian scenario.

The New York Times

Senior managers at the corporate level must have a substantive understanding of the core technology and the industry.

Harvard Business Review

In particular, the use of lepidopteran cell culture and brush border membrane vesicle preparations to dissect the complex interactions between toxin and midgut receptors have generated a substantive understanding of the mechanisms of pore formation and defined the processes that lead to disruption of larval gut integrity [ 3- 5].

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Comment concludes by contrasting the Supreme Court's recent jurisprudence celebrating the centrality of the jury trial with the lived experiences of criminal defendants, and argues for a more substantive understanding of the Sixth Amendment's trial by jury guarantee.

University of California, Berkeley

Finally, there is a more substantive understanding of the physiology of the coronary circulation as well as the" pathophysiologic manifestations of myocardial disease.

Springer

Rawls never discusses the non-identity-problem and for most of his discussions he assumes that the number of future people is constant.[36] However, his principle of just savings can be understood to provide us with a particularly sensible (and, certainly, the most prominent) substantive understanding of intergenerational sufficientarianism.

SEP

Gaining substantive understanding of other perspectives in the world that deepen a student's awareness of him/herself, his/her educational goals, and his/her own society.

Stanford University

But O'Leary isn't utterly incompetent with the meaning of these terms: he implicitly understands both names as rigid designators, and he has some substantive understanding of the object each name picks out.

SEP

Beyond the conflicts, there are also deep questions about Betsy DeVos' substantive understanding of education policy.

The Washington Post

But he can't make wise judgments unless he comes to substantive understanding of policy issues on his own.

The New York Times

But disciplines that have substantive understanding of particular issues have not been buttressed by the quantitative training needed to look at outcomes in a structured way.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantive understanding of" when you want to emphasize the importance of having a deep and meaningful comprehension, not just a superficial awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantive understanding of" if your comprehension is only introductory. Use phrases like "basic knowledge of" instead to accurately reflect your level of understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantive understanding of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes the quality or depth of comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantive understanding of" denotes a deep and thorough comprehension of a subject. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically sound and suitable for use in formal contexts such as academia, science, and news media. While not as frequently used as simpler alternatives, it adds emphasis to the depth of knowledge required. Alternatives include phrases like "a deep comprehension of" or "a thorough grasp of". When using the phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intent to convey a significant level of understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a deep comprehension of

Emphasizes the depth of understanding.

a thorough grasp of

Highlights a complete and firm understanding.

a profound insight into

Focuses on a deep and insightful understanding.

a comprehensive knowledge of

Stresses the breadth and completeness of knowledge.

an intimate familiarity with

Suggests a close and personal understanding.

a nuanced appreciation for

Highlights a subtle and refined understanding.

a working knowledge of

Focuses on practical understanding for application.

a solid grounding in

Emphasizes a firm and reliable foundational understanding.

a developed awareness of

Highlights a gradual and increasing understanding.

a conceptual mastery of

Focuses on having a firm grasp of the underlying concepts.

FAQs

What does "a substantive understanding of" mean?

It refers to a deep, thorough, and meaningful comprehension of a subject, going beyond superficial knowledge. It implies an understanding of the underlying principles and complexities.

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

You can use it to describe someone's knowledge or ability. For example, "To succeed in this role, you need "a substantive understanding of" financial markets."

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

Alternatives include "a deep comprehension of", "a thorough grasp of", or "a comprehensive knowledge of" depending on the context.

Is "a substantive understanding of" formal or informal?

It leans towards the formal side, suitable for academic, professional, or journalistic contexts. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "good understanding of" might be more appropriate.