an original understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an original understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a foundational or initial interpretation of a concept, idea, or text. Example: "The scholars aimed to uncover an original understanding of the philosophical text to better appreciate its implications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Famed Shakespearian actor Rylance said: "I love it when an author, such as Hilary Mantel, does her research and discovers an original understanding of a very familiar piece of history.

The Guardian

This would mean extricating aestheticism, subjectivism, individualism, and self-indulgent interpretations of this ideal from what Taylor (Ibid.: 15) holds to be an original understanding of that concept as achieving self-transcendence (Anderson 1995).

SEP

According to Taylor: "Like the Judiciary Act of 1789, the Process Act of 1789 and the Crimes Act of 1790, having been passed by the First Congress, are perhaps the statutes most informative of an original understanding of Congress's constitutional power over the federal judiciary".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Gibbs's early papers on the use of graphical methods in thermodynamics reflect a powerfully original understanding of what mathematicians would later call "convex analysis", including ideas that, according to Barry Simon, "lay dormant for about seventy-five years".

Wikipedia

This study brings a new and original understanding of the groundwater flow system in an important regional basin, in the context of its geometry and evolution over geological timescales.

Journal of Asian Earth Sciences

Among the ways in which one might be able to determine that constitutional authors did not intend, or would not have wished to endorse, a particular concrete application or result suggested by the original understanding of a constitutional provision is by appeal to the general goals or purposes we have reason to believe they intended to achieve in enacting what they did.

SEP

Moreover, as Sunstein points out, the question of "whether the original understanding of an old text should bind current generations is not at all simple".

The New Yorker

Yoo roots his controversial analysis in a brilliant reconstruction of the original understanding of the foreign affairs power and supplements it with arguments based on constitutional text, structure, and history.

University of Chicago

To ensure the equal treatment of constitutional rights, the court should establish a test fully rooted in the original understanding of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Los Angeles Times

Judge Bork's insistence that the Constitution must be interpreted in light of the original understanding of its authors, a view Judge Gorsuch is said to share, was a fringe notion in 1987.

Huffington Post

This drew a withering response from Justice Scalia, a proponent of reading the Constitution according to the original understanding of those who adopted it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, "an original understanding of" can add weight to your analysis by showing you've considered the primary interpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "an original understanding of" when you actually mean a widely accepted or 'common understanding'. The phrase implies a return to a foundational interpretation, not necessarily the most prevalent one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an original understanding of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, frequently employed to highlight a foundational or initial interpretation of something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an original understanding of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the initial or foundational interpretation of a concept. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for academic, legal, and historical contexts, particularly when contrasting the original intent with later modifications. While not exceedingly common, its specific and formal usage adds weight to analytical discussions. Related phrases include "a novel interpretation of" or "a fresh perspective on". Avoid using it when you mean a common or contemporary understanding. The phrase is most frequently found in academic, news, and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a novel interpretation of

Emphasizes the newness or uniqueness of the interpretation.

a fresh perspective on

Highlights a new viewpoint or angle on a subject.

a unique grasp of

Focuses on the distinctiveness of someone's comprehension.

an innovative take on

Stresses the inventiveness or creativity of the interpretation.

a pioneering insight into

Highlights the groundbreaking nature of the understanding.

a groundbreaking comprehension of

Implies a revolutionary level of understanding.

a radical reappraisal of

Suggests a significant and fundamental re-evaluation.

a transformative insight into

Conveys an understanding that causes a major shift in perspective.

a distinct perception of

Emphasizes clarity and differentiation in understanding.

an uncommon appreciation for

Highlights a rare or unusual level of understanding and value.

FAQs

How can I use "an original understanding of" in a sentence?

You can use "an original understanding of" to refer to the initial or foundational interpretation of a concept, idea, or text. For example: "The scholars aimed to uncover an original understanding of the philosophical text to better appreciate its implications."

What are some alternatives to "an original understanding of"?

Alternatives include "a novel interpretation of", "a fresh perspective on", or "a unique grasp of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "an original understanding of" most appropriate?

"An original understanding of" is particularly suitable in academic, legal, and historical contexts where the foundational interpretation of a concept is critical.

Is it ever incorrect to use "an original understanding of"?

It would be incorrect to use "an original understanding of" when referring to a contemporary or evolved understanding of a concept. The phrase specifically points back to the initial interpretation.