begin to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

"begin to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "begin to understand" when you are stating that something is beginning to be understood. Example: As I studied the material, I began to understand the concepts behind calculus.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Begin to understand them, because without understanding, this child is helpless.

WikiHow

Turks newly begin to understand Kurds.

The New York Times

Now I begin to understand it.

The New Yorker

They begin to understand this".

The New York Times

We don't begin to understand it.

The Guardian - Music

I saw George begin to understand me.

The New Yorker

Even if we can hardly begin to understand why.

The Guardian - Opinion

And you begin to understand the museum's preoccupation.

The New York Times - Arts

"You begin to understand what really matters in your life".

The New York Times

After an hour, I begin to understand her fascination.

The New York Times - Magazine

The internet speaks a language he can't begin to understand.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to understand" to describe the initial phase of a learning process or a shift in comprehension. For example: "After the lecture, students began to understand the complexities of quantum physics."

Common error

While "begin to understand" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "start to comprehend", "develop an understanding of", or "gain insight into" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to understand" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initial stage of comprehension or grasping a concept. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples show its use across various contexts to express the start of a learning process or realization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin to understand" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies the initial stage of comprehending something. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for general use. As shown by Ludwig's numerous examples, this phrase appears across a wide spectrum of contexts, from news and academic articles to personal blogs. While perfectly acceptable, be mindful of overuse in formal writing and consider substituting it with alternatives like "start to comprehend" or "gain an understanding of" to diversify your writing style. Understanding its appropriate usage and available alternatives will help ensure clarity and sophistication in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start to comprehend

Emphasizes the commencement of grasping something intellectually.

start to grasp

Highlights the initial phase of seizing or understanding something.

start to realize

Focuses on the dawning of awareness or understanding.

come to understand

Indicates a process leading to understanding, slightly more advanced than just starting.

gain an understanding of

Highlights the acquisition of knowledge or insight.

develop an understanding of

Suggests a gradual and ongoing process of building comprehension.

form an initial understanding

Stresses the preliminary nature of the understanding.

get a sense of

Implies a more intuitive or less precise understanding.

perceive

Suggests a more direct and sensory-based understanding.

become aware of

Highlights the growing knowledge or mindfulness of something.

FAQs

How can I use "begin to understand" in a sentence?

Use "begin to understand" to describe the starting point of comprehending something. For instance, "After reading the manual, I "began to understand" the software's features."

What are some alternatives to "begin to understand"?

Alternatives include "start to comprehend", "start to grasp", or "start to realize", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it better to say "begin to understand" or "come to understand"?

"Begin to understand" suggests the initial stage of comprehension, while "come to understand" implies a more complete, though possibly gradual, understanding. The choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "begin to understand" and "begin to comprehend"?

While similar, "begin to comprehend" often implies a more formal or intellectual understanding, while "begin to understand" is more general. Use "begin to comprehend" when discussing complex or academic topics.