derive an understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "derive an understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of gaining knowledge or insight from information or experiences. Example: "Through careful analysis of the data, we can derive an understanding of the underlying trends affecting the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Qualitative video-based analysis of the sessions for six students and analysis of all the students' self-reports were performed to derive an understanding of the determinants of fun and learning in the children's experiences.

Entertainment Computing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A particular focus is deriving an understanding of the problem so that different solutions can be assessed quantitatively, which allows more definitive choices to be made.

Journal of Systems and Software

Some recent examples include applying physics techniques to the study of biological phenomena [1], deriving an understanding of the nature of critical phenomena from renormalization techniques in particle physics [2] drawing inferences about the early universe from findings in terrestrial superfluid experiments [3], and using statistical physics to analyze technological and social systems [4].

Plosone

By deriving an understanding of large-scale functional structure based directly on genome-scale datasets, we also gain an understanding of the data itself.

Bioinformatics

How should evolutionary ecological principles be used to derive an operational understanding of complex, adaptive ecosystems?

Princeton University

Our findings warrant rigorous study of the development of mental representations across the lifespan in order to derive an objective understanding of the aging mind.

Current Biology

This was a belief that ran through society and derived from an understanding of history.

The New York Times

An important facet of visual intelligence is composition - understanding of the whole derives from an understanding of the parts.

Stanford University

I will argue that an important facet of visual intelligence is composition - understanding of the whole derives from an understanding of the parts.

Princeton University

Most of the important principles for effectively using color in design can be derived from an understanding of the red-green, yellow-blue, and black-white color channels.

Visual Thinking For Design

It is a modern shop, however, in that its way of making suits that are truly androgynous derives from an understanding of the ways in which most men's suits fall short when women (and transgender men) try to wear them off the rack.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "derive an understanding" when you want to emphasize that the understanding comes as a result of a specific process, analysis, or source of information.

Common error

Avoid using "derive an understanding" in situations where simpler verbs like "gain", "get", or "develop" would suffice. Reserve "derive" for contexts where the understanding is directly and demonstrably drawn from something specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "derive an understanding" functions as a verb phrase, where 'derive' acts as the main verb indicating the action of obtaining knowledge, and 'an understanding' serves as the object, specifying what is being obtained. Ludwig AI validates its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

25%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "derive an understanding" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates gaining knowledge or comprehension through a process of analysis or extraction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, emphasizing a methodical approach to acquiring insight. While alternatives like "gain an understanding" exist, "derive" specifically highlights the extraction of understanding from a source. When writing, use it when you want to highlight that comprehension is the result of analysis and evidence. Be careful with its overuse as the alternative phrases work well, and can be more appropriate, in several general contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain an understanding

Focuses on the act of acquiring comprehension.

develop an understanding

Emphasizes the process of gradual growth in comprehension.

obtain an understanding

Highlights the successful acquisition of knowledge.

acquire an understanding

Similar to obtain, but with a slightly more formal tone.

achieve an understanding

Suggests effort and accomplishment in gaining comprehension.

form an understanding

Implies shaping or creating comprehension.

build an understanding

Highlights the construction of knowledge over time.

cultivate an understanding

Suggests careful and deliberate effort to foster comprehension.

foster an understanding

Emphasizes the encouragement of comprehension in oneself or others.

extract an understanding

Conveys uncovering comprehension from something complex or hidden.

FAQs

What does "derive an understanding" mean?

The phrase "derive an understanding" means to gain knowledge or comprehension about something through a process of reasoning, analysis, or extraction of information. It implies that the understanding is not immediately apparent but is obtained through effort.

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

You can use "derive an understanding" in a sentence like this: "Through careful analysis of the data, we can "derive an understanding" of the underlying trends affecting the market."

What are some alternatives to "derive an understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "gain an understanding", "develop an understanding", or "obtain an understanding" depending on the context.

Is "derive an understanding" formal or informal?

"Derive an understanding" is generally considered a more formal expression. In casual conversation, simpler phrases like "get a sense of" or "figure out" might be more appropriate.