building an understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "building an understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of gaining knowledge or insight about a particular topic or concept. Example: "The workshop aims at building an understanding of climate change among participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

I am building an understanding of what is happening, and what will happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

That means building an understanding of how much it can handle.

TechCrunch

It's around building an understanding of individuals as they relate to your brand and having a central system of records around those brands".

TechCrunch

Insights into all these functions are building an understanding of why zinc is so critical for such a multitude of life processes.

Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology

This paper presents a method and results of an ethnographic study aimed at building an understanding of Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) adoption in Mumbai, India.

Interacting with Computers

In addition to building pedagogical and content knowledge within STEM, Roehrig et al. (2012) suggest that helping teachers develop beliefs and knowledge related to the importance of integrated STEM as well as building an understanding of what integrated STEM instruction looks like in the classroom can help ensure more successful implementation.

International Journal of STEM Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

They've got to be really good at understanding what their consumers need and want, and more specifically, building an understanding not just of what consumers say they want but what consumers actually buy.

The New York Times

Observers' views can then be crosschecked against documentary or other data to assess the influence of context factors repeatedly mentioned, thus building inductively an understanding of context influences.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Those experiences have encouraged him to work towards building an improved understanding of the nature, causes, and consequences of allowing poverty to prevail in the world.

Huffington Post

This research represents an unusual opportunity both for building an enhanced understanding of ecological complexity and for equipping policy-makers to protect the world's human populations from infectious disease.

Science Magazine

The research is helpful in building an increased understanding of the risks for HIV infection and transmission among male street laborers enabling policy makers and practitioners to deal with this uncertain, disturbing, and increasing epidemic.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "building an understanding of", ensure the context clearly indicates what subject or concept understanding is being developed for. For instance, specify "building an understanding of quantum physics" rather than just "building an understanding."

Common error

Don't use the phrase without a clear object. Instead of just saying "the goal is building an understanding", clarify what needs to be understood to provide context and purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building an understanding of" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, indicating the act of acquiring knowledge or insight. As Ludwig AI's analysis suggests, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "building an understanding of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe the process of acquiring knowledge or insight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable phrase in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific, news media, and business contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. When using the phrase, clarity is key; ensure the subject of understanding is clearly defined to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "developing an awareness of" or "gaining insight into" can offer subtle shifts in meaning depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developing an awareness of

Focuses on the initial stage of comprehension, emphasizing recognition and perception.

fostering a comprehension of

Highlights the act of nurturing and promoting a deeper grasp of a subject.

cultivating a knowledge of

Emphasizes a deliberate and sustained effort to gain expertise.

gaining insight into

Focuses on acquiring a deeper, more intuitive grasp of a complex issue.

acquiring a grasp of

Implies obtaining a firm hold on a concept or subject.

deepening familiarity with

Suggests increasing one's existing knowledge and comfort level.

enhancing comprehension of

Emphasizes the improvement of existing understanding.

strengthening one's hold on

Focuses on reinforcing an existing understanding or skill.

constructing a perception of

Emphasizes forming a mental image or awareness.

promoting an appreciation of

Highlights the development of a positive understanding and value.

FAQs

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

You can use "building an understanding of" to describe the process of gaining knowledge or insight into a topic. For example: "The course focuses on "building an understanding of the fundamentals"."

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

Alternatives include "developing an awareness of", "fostering a comprehension of", or "gaining insight into", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "develop an understanding of" or "build an understanding of"?

Both "develop an understanding of" and "build an understanding of" are correct and usable. "Develop" may suggest a gradual process, while "build" emphasizes a more structured, cumulative approach.

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

"Building an understanding of" refers to the process of acquiring knowledge, while "having an understanding of" implies already possessing that knowledge. One is dynamic, the other is static.