convey an understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"convey an understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a clear communication of an idea or knowledge. For example, "Through clear and concise explanations, we were able to convey an understanding of the material to the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Like them, Time Reborn tries not only to convey an understanding of the difficulties faced by contemporary physicists, but also to advance novel solutions to those problems.

The Guardian - Books

Mubarak's move didn't exactly convey an understanding that Egyptians might not want him to be a better autocrat with a more efficient team — that they might not want him, or any autocrat, at all.

The New Yorker

Geomorphic principles convey an understanding of the landscape context within which ecohydrologic processes interact.

Science of The Total Environment

And fourth, for all these reasons, textbooks in all grades from K-16 fail completely to convey an understanding of how evolution works in the long run.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

A summary of the design, planning and execution of the project provides a case study of how public engagement can produce lasting and effective materials that convey an understanding of geology, geodiversity and landscape evolution to non-specialists of all ages, while also contributing to wider social agendas, such as public engagement with science and rural economic wellbeing.

Proceedings of the Geologists' Association

The live-action format was also chosen for its ability to better develop characters; the series is used to introduce the character Thomas Lasky to the Halo universe before his role in the video game Halo 4. The developers wanted a protagonist with more emotion than Master Chief (whose face is never seen), to not only convey an understanding of the universe, but to better engage unfamiliar viewers.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

He wasn't a Marshall-type figure who conveyed an understanding of both business and politics.

The New York Times - Magazine

The visitor experience should be a seamless one, conveying an understanding of how the boats are built, restored, steamed, sailed and conserved.

The Guardian - Arts

In "Anna Bolena" he conveyed an understanding of bel canto style, in which arching lines must be given room to spin and cast their spell, and accompaniment patterns have to be flexible.

The New York Times - Arts

Divining anything about Xi's politics from his public persona is a mug's game, but one thing is beyond doubt: he conveys an understanding of style that utterly eluded his predecessor, and an awareness that he will be judged more openly and mercilessly than any paramount Chinese leader before him.

The New Yorker

It is also critically about conveying an understanding of who we are as moral beings in the context of our organic history.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "convey an understanding", ensure that the method of conveying is clear. Specify how the understanding is being conveyed, such as through explanation, demonstration, or visual aids.

Common error

Avoid using "convey an understanding" without specifying what specific understanding is being conveyed. Always clarify the subject matter to prevent ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The speaker failed to convey an understanding", specify "The speaker failed to convey an understanding of the economic policy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "convey an understanding" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase, serving to describe the action of transmitting or communicating a concept or idea effectively. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "convey an understanding" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that denotes the act of effectively communicating a concept or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most commonly found in science and news media contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While not exceedingly frequent, it's a valuable tool for ensuring clarity and comprehension in various communication scenarios. Related phrases like "express an understanding" and "communicate an understanding" offer subtle nuances in emphasis. Ensure to specify how the understanding is conveyed and what specific understanding is being conveyed to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

express an understanding

Focuses on outward expression, highlighting the articulation of understanding more than the transmission.

communicate an understanding

Emphasizes the act of communication, suggesting a two-way exchange rather than a simple conveyance.

impart an understanding

Highlights the act of giving or bestowing understanding, emphasizing the role of the giver.

deliver an understanding

Implies a more formal or structured transmission of understanding, similar to giving a presentation.

foster comprehension

Shifts the focus to creating an environment that encourages understanding rather than directly conveying it.

promote awareness

Focuses on bringing something to someone's attention, which may lead to understanding.

instill knowledge

Highlights the act of planting knowledge firmly in someone's mind, often through repeated exposure.

offer insight

Implies providing a deeper or more nuanced understanding of something.

clarify concepts

Focuses on making complex ideas easier to grasp, implying a simplification process.

illuminate ideas

Suggests shedding light on ideas, making them clearer and more understandable.

FAQs

How can I use "convey an understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "convey an understanding" when you want to express a clear communication of an idea or knowledge. For example, "Through clear and concise explanations, we were able to "convey an understanding" of the material to the students".

What can I say instead of "convey an understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "express an understanding", "communicate an understanding", or "impart an understanding" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "convey an understanding" or "convey knowledge"?

While both are correct, "convey an understanding" implies a deeper level of comprehension than simply "convey knowledge". Use "convey an understanding" when you want to emphasize that someone has grasped the meaning and implications of something.

What's the difference between "convey an understanding" and "demonstrate an understanding"?

"Convey an understanding" means to communicate or impart comprehension to someone else, while "demonstrate an understanding" means to show or prove that you have comprehension of something.