a wider understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a wider understanding' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express the idea of having a better comprehension or knowledge of a subject, concept, person or thing. For example, "Through researching the history of the region, I have gained a wider understanding of the culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Using the method discussion within focus groups are very useful to have a wider understanding of the drivers reasoning, at the same time it is important to understand that other individuals within driver categories that were approach might have other experiences not covered here.

European Transport Research Review

As someone who identifies as "lesbian and gender fluid", she encouraged a wider understanding of gender identities outside the traditional binary, the organisation said.

The Guardian

This is the obvious outcome of a wider understanding of legal equality: why should private property be protected while the common wealth of humanity is not?

The Guardian - Opinion

Each book does what science does best: start with a carefully-framed question, and use it as an instrument to expose a wider understanding.

The Guardian

Spelling, Horobin suggests, could be used "as a door to a wider understanding and appreciation of the structure of the English language, its history and its diversity".

The Guardian

The talks reflect a wider understanding in the art world about the way people want their fine-art discussions served up.

The Economist

I hope that by bringing a wider understanding to some of the issues that face the sport it will create change so that the 12-year-olds dreaming today can have a rewarding future within it.

The Guardian - Sport

Beyond the lamentations over the absence of Shaquille O'Neal and others to the contentions that the Americans aren't trying hard enough, Jeff Davis's point about core values strikes a nerve and offers a wider understanding of America's explanations, and excuses.

The New York Times - Sports

By replicating the experiment three times, we hope to be able to learn enough about the process to make Happenstance reproducible, as well as gaining a wider understanding of what may and may not make a programme like this fly.

The Guardian

At the same time he has taken certain stock lines, such as the recurrent image of dawn, and translated them in different ways, giving us a wider understanding of the Greek and a flurry of fresh images.

The New York Times - Books

A fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he received its prestigious Ness award in 1999 for popularising a wider understanding of the world, and won a number of awards in the fields of both history and tourism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wider understanding" to indicate an improvement in comprehension, often after new information is presented or a learning process occurs. For example: "After the training, employees gained a wider understanding of the company's goals."

Common error

Avoid using "a wider understanding" when "a deeper understanding" is more appropriate. "Wider" suggests breadth of knowledge, while "deeper" suggests more profound insight into a specific topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wider understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples show it representing the outcome of learning, research, or experience. It indicates an expansion of comprehension.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wider understanding" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that signifies an improved or broadened comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific publications. While highly versatile, it's important to consider the specific context and choose between "wider" (breadth) and "deeper" (depth) understanding accordingly. As highlighted in the usage guidance, avoiding scope confusion ensures the most precise and impactful communication. The related phrases, such as "a more comprehensive grasp" and "a broader awareness", offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, each with subtle differences in nuance. The frequent usage in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times solidifies its credibility and utility in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more comprehensive grasp

Emphasizes thoroughness and completeness in understanding.

a greater depth of knowledge

Highlights increased knowledge and expertise.

a broader awareness

Focuses on expanded consciousness and recognition of something.

an enhanced perception

Highlights the improvement in recognizing and interpreting sensory information or concepts.

a more complete picture

Suggests a full and holistic view, leaving out fewer details.

an increased cognizance

Focuses on the growing awareness and conscious knowledge of a subject.

a deeper insight

Emphasizes a profound and penetrating understanding of a topic.

a fuller appreciation

Highlights an enhanced understanding and valuing of something.

a global perspective

Indicates understanding from a worldwide or all-encompassing viewpoint.

an expanded worldview

Focuses on a broadened personal philosophy and understanding of the world.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wider understanding" to describe an improved or broadened comprehension of a topic. For example: "The research helped develop a wider understanding of the disease".

What are some alternatives to "a wider understanding"?

Consider using alternatives such as "a more comprehensive grasp", "a greater depth of knowledge", or "a broader awareness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to aim for "a wider understanding" or "a deeper understanding"?

The choice between "a wider understanding" and "a deeper understanding" depends on the context. "Wider" implies breadth, covering more topics, while "deeper" suggests a more profound insight into a specific area.

What does it mean to achieve "a wider understanding"?

Achieving "a wider understanding" signifies that you have broadened your knowledge base and can see connections and implications across a larger scope of information.