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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

build an understanding of

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "build an understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of gaining knowledge or insight about a particular subject. For example: "We need to build an understanding of the challenges the company is facing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An important process is to build an understanding of how the CMOCs we have constructed fit in with our initial programme theory.

Science

BMJ Open

From physical journeys, we build an understanding of relationships.

News & Media

The New York Times

Help students explore and build an understanding of what it means to be a humanitarian.

News & Media

The Guardian

For teacher Suzanne Cohen, film is a powerful tool to build an understanding of the world.

News & Media

The Guardian

Her goal is to build an understanding of viral infection from a proteomics perspective.

We should start to build an understanding of how these animals played a role in the ecology of ancient Australia.

News & Media

The Guardian

"We tried to build an understanding of what's happening in individual sectors and where opportunity may be growing," Mr. Chester said.

News & Media

The New York Times

In addition, it proved to be critical to build an understanding of the translation between recombinant cell-based systems, native tissue preparations and in vivo preclinical models.

These technologies not only help discover the systems on the network, but also build an understanding of the way the network operates and is used.

"It also points to the continued need of 4A and all of us in our company to bridge and build an understanding of Asians, our communities and our issues".

News & Media

The New York Times

"Whilst Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky are relevant to all of us today, it is vital that performing institutions like the N.H.S.O. also foster and build an understanding of the new".

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "build an understanding of", clearly define the subject or topic you aim to understand to provide context and purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "build an understanding of" repeatedly in a single paragraph. Vary your language by using synonyms like "develop an understanding of", "gain insight into", or other related phrases to maintain readability and engagement.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build an understanding of" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of developing or constructing comprehension. It is commonly used to express the process of acquiring knowledge or insight about a particular subject, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "build an understanding of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively describes the process of gaining knowledge or insight. While versatile, varying your language and avoiding overuse can enhance clarity and engagement. Consider using alternatives like "develop an understanding of" or "gain insight into" to add nuance to your writing.

FAQs

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

You can use "build an understanding of" to describe the process of gaining knowledge or insight about a subject. For instance, "Researchers are working to build an understanding of the disease's progression".

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

You can use alternatives like "develop an understanding of", "gain insight into", or "foster an understanding of" depending on the context.

Is "build an understanding about" grammatically correct?

No, the correct preposition to use after "build an understanding" is "of", not "about". Therefore, "build an understanding of" is the grammatically correct phrase.

What's the difference between "build an understanding of" and "have an understanding of"?

"Build an understanding of" implies a process of gaining knowledge, while "have an understanding of" suggests possessing existing knowledge. For example, "We need to build an understanding of the new regulations" versus "We have an understanding of the current market trends".

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Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: