beginning to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beginning to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a process of gaining knowledge or insight about a particular subject or situation. Example: "After several discussions, I feel like I am beginning to understand the complexities of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Understanding is loving, and I'm beginning to understand.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Computers are beginning to understand natural language.

The Economist

I'm beginning to understand why we're here.

The Guardian

The public is beginning to understand this.

The Guardian

"People really are beginning to understand. . .

The Washington Post

I'm only just beginning to understand compassion.

Yale University

I think I am now beginning to understand why.

Technical Career Survival Handbook 100 Things You Need to Know

Experts are just beginning to understand the biological underpinnings.

The New York Times - Health

Just as I thought I was beginning to understand it.

The New York Times

She is just beginning to understand what adoption is.

The New York Times

Sophia is only beginning to understand her father's livelihood.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase. It's appropriate for most contexts, but more formal language might be needed for highly technical or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "beginning to understand" when you want to express complete or comprehensive understanding. The phrase indicates an ongoing process, not a finished state. Instead, use phrases like "I understand" or "I comprehend".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beginning to understand" functions as a verb phrase indicating the start of a cognitive process. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing numerous examples where it expresses the initial phase of gaining comprehension. It's about the journey, not the destination of understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

17%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "beginning to understand" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to convey the initial stages of comprehension. As highlighted by Ludwig, its frequency across diverse sources like News & Media, Academia, and Science confirms its widespread applicability. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives might be considered for specific contexts. The key takeaway is to use it when describing a process of gaining understanding, rather than a state of complete comprehension. The AI analysis confirms the validity and utility of this phrase in expressing developing awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Starting to grasp

Emphasizes the initial stage of comprehension, similar to "beginning to understand".

Coming to realize

Focuses on the moment of becoming aware or understanding.

Gaining insight into

Highlights the process of acquiring a deeper understanding.

Developing an awareness of

Stresses the gradual growth of understanding or consciousness.

Forming a comprehension of

Implies the creation of a complete understanding.

Getting the hang of

Suggests a more informal and practical understanding.

Figuring out

Implies solving a puzzle or understanding something complex.

Appreciating the nuances of

Focuses on understanding the subtle aspects of something.

Unraveling the complexities of

Highlights the process of understanding something intricate.

Wrapping my head around

A more idiomatic way of expressing the struggle to understand something complex.

FAQs

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

You can use "beginning to understand" to describe a process of gradually gaining knowledge or insight. For example, "After the lecture, I'm "beginning to understand" the theory better."

What are some alternatives to "beginning to understand"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "starting to grasp", "coming to realize", or "gaining insight into".

Is it correct to say "being to understand" instead of "beginning to understand"?

No, "being to understand" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is ""beginning to understand"", which indicates a process of gaining comprehension.

What's the difference between "beginning to understand" and "already understand"?

"Beginning to understand" suggests that your understanding is developing or in its early stages. "Already understand" implies that you have a complete or sufficient understanding of something. They represent different points in the process of comprehension.