an alternative understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an alternative understanding" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a different interpretation or explanation of a concept or idea. For example, "The professor presented an alternative understanding of the poem's meaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

There is a need for an alternative understanding of what global architecture can be; one that understands the essential need to preserve and respect diversity as well as house seemingly disparate philosophies of space, people, and their interactions with and within the built form.

Habitat International

Based on complex numbers, they provide an alternative understanding of the problem of designing stable interval observers.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Fred Leeman, a former chief curator of the museum and now an independent art historian and van Gogh scholar based here, said the work, which he called "100percentt genuine," contributes to an alternative understanding of the artist.

The New York Times - Arts

Wills argues that an alternative understanding of Jesus and the eucharist, one more consonant with the New Testament (Hebrews excepted) and informed by Augustine, sees Jesus as coming to harmonize humanity with himself.

The New York Times - Books

The argument is elaborated through the work of George Bataille whose concept of the labyrinth provides the theoretical groundwork for an alternative understanding of what the landscape is as well as how it can be studied.

Geoforum

Rather than seeing each individual marriage as a cog in a tyrannical industrial machine that manufactures large-scale social docility, we might re-reread Marx to come up with an alternative understanding of how the language of work might relate to the language of love.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Those who have a problem with the alternative understanding I described in the last post -- which, not surprisingly, are almost exclusively fundamentalist Christians -- usually ask another question of me: "Don't your views of Jesus undermine his authority and that of the Bible?" And, my response is, "They do not for me.

Huffington Post

Twitter is a shortcut to the next best alternative – understanding through the help of those who truly understand.

TechCrunch

So construed, Confucian ethics provides an alternative to understanding the nature of the moral life that is different from an understanding that is primarily based on abstract principles, even abstract principles that require respect for each person.

SEP

We suggest an alternative story understanding ELSI programs as having had a collaborative agenda from the very start.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

To study evolutionary rates and patterns of proteins in well-characterized metabolic networks or pathways has thus become an alternative for understanding of molecular evolution [ 9- 15].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing "an alternative understanding", clearly state what the prevailing or conventional understanding is first, to provide context for the alternative.

Common error

Avoid presenting "an alternative understanding" as completely new if it builds upon existing theories or interpretations. Acknowledge prior work to establish credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an alternative understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and use in various contexts. It introduces a different perspective, interpretation, or explanation of a concept or idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an alternative understanding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that introduces a different perspective or interpretation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used in diverse fields, from science and media to encyclopedias. It's most effective when the original understanding is clearly defined, allowing the "alternative understanding" to stand out. While similar phrases like "a different interpretation" or "a fresh perspective" exist, "an alternative understanding" offers a balanced and widely applicable way to present a new viewpoint. Remember to avoid overstating its novelty and acknowledge prior work to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a different interpretation

Focuses on the act of interpreting, highlighting the resulting interpretation rather than the process of understanding.

a fresh perspective

Emphasizes novelty and originality in the viewpoint.

a novel viewpoint

Highlights the originality and newness of the perspective.

a contrasting interpretation

Specifically indicates an interpretation that is in opposition to a common one.

a divergent perspective

Suggests a perspective that branches off or differs significantly.

a distinct viewpoint

Focuses on the unique and clearly different nature of the perspective.

a revised understanding

Indicates that a previous understanding has been changed or updated.

a reinterpretation

Emphasizes the act of interpreting something again, potentially leading to a new understanding.

a counter-narrative

Suggests a narrative that opposes or challenges a dominant or mainstream narrative.

a subversive reading

Implies that the interpretation undermines or challenges established norms or power structures.

FAQs

How can I use "an alternative understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "an alternative understanding" to introduce a different perspective or interpretation of a topic. For instance, "Scholars are proposing "an alternative understanding" of the historical event based on new evidence".

What phrases are similar to "an alternative understanding"?

Phrases with similar meanings include "a different interpretation", "a fresh perspective", or "a novel viewpoint". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "an alternative understanding" in academic writing?

Yes, "an alternative understanding" is appropriate for academic writing. It is often used to introduce new theories or interpretations of existing ideas or data.

What is the difference between "an alternative understanding" and "an alternative interpretation"?

While similar, "understanding" implies a broader comprehension, whereas "interpretation" suggests a specific explanation or reading of something. You might propose "an alternative understanding" of a phenomenon, leading to "an alternative interpretation" of specific data related to it.