advanced the understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advanced the understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how a particular action, research, or development has contributed to a deeper comprehension of a subject or concept. Example: "The new research findings advanced the understanding of climate change and its impacts on global ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Genetic engineering has advanced the understanding of many theoretical and practical aspects of gene function and organization.

Encyclopedia Britannica

My father, Eric Roberts, who has died aged 86, was a renowned seed and crop scientist who advanced the understanding of plant breeding and genetic resource conservation.

The Guardian

Glauber's prizewinning work centred on his development of a theory that advanced the understanding of light by describing the behaviour of light particles (light quanta, or photons).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dr. Joseph Warshaw, an expert on fetal growth and neonatal medical care who advanced the understanding of the way organs mature in normal and diabetic pregnancies, died Dec. 29 in Burlington, Vt.

The New York Times

Mary's work greatly advanced the understanding of X-linked inherited diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy and haemophilia, and explained why women who are carriers of these diseases can display symptoms.

The Guardian

Dr. Rick contributed greatly to the field of plant evolution, and he advanced the understanding of the relationship between the geographic distribution of plant species and their ability to crossbreed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The report also calls for a national research program to advance the understanding of reconciliation itself.

The Guardian

Dr. Floersheimer created the Center to advance the understanding, and improve the functioning, of modern constitutional democracies.

The New York Times

Is it any wonder that people interested in advancing the understanding of the human condition might lean toward a political ideology that embraces their efforts?

The New York Times

"The kind of strategic marketing embrace this deal involves will very substantially advance the understanding of what we now have to offer," Mr. Rogers said.

The New York Times - Tech

These findings advance the understanding of the two-phase flow in fractured porous media.

Journal of Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "advanced the understanding" to highlight significant progress rather than incremental improvements in knowledge. It's most effective when describing breakthroughs or major contributions to a field.

Common error

Avoid using "advanced the understanding" in overly passive constructions. Active voice often strengthens the sentence and clarifies who or what is responsible for advancing the understanding. Example: Instead of "The understanding was advanced by the study", use "The study "advanced the understanding" of...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advanced the understanding" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating that a particular subject or action has contributed to the progression or improvement of knowledge or comprehension. It is commonly used to describe the impact of research, studies, or developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

19%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "advanced the understanding" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe how knowledge or comprehension has been improved. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to highlight contributions to a deeper understanding of a subject, particularly in formal contexts such as science, news, and encyclopedias. It is a versatile phrase, with alternatives like "enhanced comprehension" and "deepened insight" offering similar meanings. When using this phrase, it’s best to clearly specify what or who "advanced the understanding" to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhanced comprehension

Focuses more directly on the improvement of comprehension itself.

deepened insight

Emphasizes the increased depth of understanding achieved.

improved knowledge

Highlights the expansion and betterment of factual information.

furthered awareness

Stresses the growth of consciousness and recognition of a subject.

expanded perception

Focuses on broadening the way something is viewed or understood.

promoted insight

Implies active encouragement and development of understanding.

facilitated learning

Highlights the ease and efficiency with which knowledge was acquired.

enriched appreciation

Focuses on a richer, more profound sense of value and understanding.

broadened horizons

Suggests the expansion of intellectual and conceptual limits.

cultivated insight

Emphasizes the careful development and refinement of understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "advanced the understanding" in a sentence?

Use "advanced the understanding" to show that something has contributed to a greater knowledge of a topic. For example: "The new research "advanced the understanding" of climate change."

What are some alternatives to "advanced the understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "enhanced comprehension", "deepened insight", or "improved knowledge" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "advanced the understanding" in formal writing?

Yes, "advanced the understanding" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic and scientific contexts, as it conveys a significant contribution to knowledge.

What's the difference between "advanced the understanding" and "improved the understanding"?

"Advanced the understanding" often implies a more significant leap in knowledge, while "improved the understanding" suggests a general enhancement. The choice depends on the degree of progress you wish to emphasize.