build understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"build understanding" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English.
It is typically used to suggest a need to truly comprehend an idea or concept. For example, "The goal of this project is to build understanding of the issues our community faces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Students love it because it lets them learn at their own pace, review material they don't quite understand, and absorb information as they build understanding.

Huffington Post

You have to get in front of people as often as possible, foster relationships, build understanding.

TechCrunch

First, we need to build understanding.

Huffington Post

They provide the coverage needed to begin to build understanding.

Huffington Post

Family-school relationships based on the realities of people's everyday lives and on respect for families would open conversations, stimulate self-reflection and build understanding.

Huffington Post

The British Council brought this production to the US (starting at DC's Shakespeare Theatre, then The Guthrie in Minneapolis) to build understanding.

Huffington Post

When not writing, Tria co-runs the volunteer organization Make America Dinner Again, and has appeared on NPR, BBC, ABC, Mother Jones, etc to discuss and model how to build understanding across political lines.

Huffington Post

LAs likely think they are helping students build understanding by explaining an answer, when, in fact, the data indicate that providing reasoning often ended the students' attempts to grapple with the material.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The concept of "nature of science" includes, for many science educators, the ideas that scientists build understanding on observations of nature, that explanations and understanding can change over time, and that creativity comes into play throughout the research process (Lederman, 1992; Karakas, 2009).

CBE Life Sciences Education

Seeing the equipment, people, and techniques that go into making a TV show helps build understanding.

WikiHow

Development workers can use it to understand the communities in which they work, to promote dialogue, build understanding and trust between different community groups and analyse the underlying causes and symptoms of underdevelopment as a basis for promoting viable solutions through social action and change.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use real-world examples and case studies to illustrate complex concepts and "build understanding" through practical application.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex language or introducing too many concepts at once. Start with foundational knowledge and gradually "build understanding" step by step.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "build understanding" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of developing or creating comprehension. It often appears in contexts related to education, communication, and problem-solving. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "build understanding" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes the action of fostering or developing comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, including news, science, and business. To enhance clarity, consider using related phrases like "foster comprehension" or "cultivate insight" depending on your specific context. When using "build understanding", avoid overly complex language and prioritize clear, concise explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foster comprehension

This alternative emphasizes the nurturing aspect of developing understanding, similar to cultivating growth.

cultivate insight

This phrase focuses on developing a deeper, more profound level of understanding.

develop awareness

This alternative highlights the process of becoming conscious or informed about something.

promote learning

This alternative stresses the educational aspect of gaining understanding, focusing on the acquisition of knowledge.

enhance knowledge

This phrase suggests improving and expanding existing knowledge.

create awareness

This alternative emphasizes making someone cognizant of a particular issue or situation.

advance perception

This phrase focuses on improving the way something is understood or regarded.

encourage enlightenment

This option highlights the act of gaining spiritual or intellectual insight.

nurture intellect

This focuses on feeding and developing the intellectual capacity.

strengthen acumen

This phrase highlights the sharpening and refining of one's ability to understand and judge quickly.

FAQs

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

You can use "build understanding" to describe the process of developing comprehension, for example, "The program aims to "build understanding" of climate change issues among students".

What are some alternative phrases for "build understanding"?

Alternatives include "foster comprehension", "develop awareness", or "cultivate insight". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "build understanding" or "create understanding"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Build understanding" implies a gradual, incremental process, while "create understanding" suggests bringing understanding into existence where it didn't exist before. Choose the phrase that best reflects the context.

What's the difference between "building understanding" and "having understanding"?

"Building understanding" refers to the ongoing process of gaining comprehension, while "having understanding" describes a state of already possessing knowledge or insight about something.