come to understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come to understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of reaching a mutual comprehension or agreement on a topic or issue. Example: "After hours of discussion, we finally came to an understanding about the project's direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

-- kept coming and coming until it seemed to me that to understand this one place might be the closest I would ever come to understanding the universe".

The New York Times

The closest I've ever come to understanding sacrificing for religion came from reading Graham Greene's The End of the Affair.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the same way, the closest the characters come to understanding their pain is accepting that there is no meaningful explanation.

The New York Times - Books

The by-the-bootstraps euphoria each time they upset one of the big clubs may be the closest I'll ever come to understanding what Occupy Wall Street must have looked like to those inside office towers.

The New Yorker

When the time came to capture their characters' peachy foreplay, the actors' off-screen affection doubled as the closest two heterosexual men could come to understanding the throes of burgeoning gay romance.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

When it comes to understanding financial matters, many young people turn to their parents for guidance.

The New York Times

Tilly argues that we make two common errors when it comes to understanding reasons.

The New Yorker

When it comes to understanding Al Qaeda, he's the Rosetta stone".

The New Yorker

But when it comes to understanding Mr. Spano's big blue zero, there is little education required.

The New York Times

Nor when it comes to understanding what is at stake in framing our international alliances.

The Guardian - Opinion

Eagleton attacks their shared poverty when it comes to understanding Christian theology.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come to understanding" when you want to emphasize the process of gradually achieving a shared comprehension or agreement, especially after discussion or negotiation.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "come to understanding" (reaching an agreement) with "come to understand" (individually comprehending something). The former implies a mutual agreement, while the latter focuses on personal insight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to understanding" functions as a verb phrase, describing the process of achieving a shared comprehension or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating its proper grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come to understanding" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the process of reaching a shared comprehension or agreement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While relatively rare in occurrence, its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases such as "reach an agreement" or "arrive at a consensus" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using "come to understanding", focus on conveying the idea of a mutual agreement reached after discussion or negotiation, and avoid confusing it with the individual act of "coming to understand" something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach an agreement

Replaces the verb "come" with "reach" for a more direct expression of achieving agreement.

achieve mutual comprehension

Replaces "understanding" with "comprehension" and adds "mutual" for emphasis on shared understanding.

arrive at a consensus

Emphasizes a group decision-making process, suggesting broader agreement than a simple understanding.

build common ground

Focuses on establishing a shared basis for understanding or agreement, particularly in negotiations or discussions.

gain insight into

Focuses on individual comprehension and awareness rather than mutual agreement.

develop an appreciation for

Highlights the gradual growth of understanding and positive regard for a topic or concept.

fathom the meaning of

Suggests a deeper, more challenging process of understanding something complex or obscure.

grasp the significance of

Focuses on understanding the importance or relevance of something.

form a coherent picture

Suggests assembling individual pieces of information into a unified understanding.

attain a clear perspective

Suggests a more individual journey towards clarity rather than collective agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "come to understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "come to understanding" to describe the process of reaching a mutual agreement or comprehension. For example, "After a lengthy debate, they finally "came to understanding" regarding the project's objectives".

What's the difference between "come to understanding" and "come to understand"?

"Come to understanding" implies a mutual agreement or shared comprehension, whereas "come to understand" refers to an individual's process of comprehending something. The former is about reaching a consensus, while the latter is about gaining personal insight.

Are there any formal alternatives to "come to understanding"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "reach an agreement", "arrive at a consensus", or "achieve mutual comprehension".

Is "come to understanding" grammatically correct?

Yes, "come to understanding" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. It is often used to describe the process of reaching a mutual agreement or shared understanding.