develop understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'develop understanding' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to the process of gaining a deeper understanding of something. For example, "The teacher encouraged students to take a deep dive into the material in order to develop understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I believe strongly that it's our investment in fundamental research that will allow us not only to see and understand so much more of our universe, but develop understanding, tools and technology along the way that can also be important economic drivers and excite the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians who test and prove theories and create new theories of their own.

Huffington Post

This requires us to reference other parts of a sentence at different times to develop understanding.

TechCrunch

An important difference, though, is that learning environments are designed, whereas people develop (understanding, intelligence and ability), or, in some cases and situations, they fail to do so.

Smart Learning Environments

To obtain a high score on examinations or quizzes, many Japanese L2 students must memorize material and develop understanding through careful attention and analysis (MacWhinnie and Mitchell 2017).

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

The book begins with a discussion of Chinese culture and worldview in which he compares and contrasts Chinese "system think" (putting things in the context of their relationship with other things to understand them better) with the Western deconstructionist tactic, which takes things apart and looks at them more closely in order to develop understanding.

Huffington Post

Simulation experiments The simulation was used in a series of experiments, as summarized in Table  2, refining the problem specification and introducing additional complexities in a phased series of experiments to help develop understanding.

Health Care Management Science

Beginning with her first dances, more than thirty years ago, Susan Marshall has explored our attempts to find one another, to develop understanding, to navigate relationships.

The New Yorker

Yes, we want to help the police but, in a sense, what universities are for is to develop understanding and contribute to knowledge.

The Guardian

We need to rely on evidence about what happened and its effects, and we need to develop understanding and knowledge, not just anecdotes.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The FPC will need to better develop understanding and acceptability of the new framework and policy among market participants and the public.

The Guardian - Business

At the Joyce Theatre recently, the French choreographer Pierre… Beginning with her first dances, more than thirty years ago, Susan Marshall has explored our attempts to find one another, to develop understanding, to navigate… The ephemeral nature of dance is one of its great pleasures.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "develop understanding", use specific actions, such as researching, experimenting, or discussing, to actively build your knowledge on the subject.

Common error

Don't passively expect understanding to arise on its own. Actively engage with the material through methods like questioning, summarizing, and applying concepts to real-world scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop understanding" functions as a verb phrase acting as the predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of gradually building comprehension, which Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "develop understanding" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that refers to the process of building comprehension. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is readily usable in written English. The phrase is suitable for various contexts, including science, news and media, and formal business communication. While alternatives like "gain understanding" or "foster understanding" exist, "develop understanding" emphasizes the gradual and active construction of knowledge. Remember to actively engage with the material to truly develop a deeper understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gain understanding

Focuses on the acquisition of understanding, rather than the process of developing it.

cultivate understanding

Implies a more deliberate and nurtured growth of understanding.

foster understanding

Suggests actively promoting the growth of understanding, often in others.

build understanding

Emphasizes the construction or creation of understanding over time.

advance understanding

Suggests taking existing understanding to a higher level or a more progressed state.

deepen understanding

Highlights making the current level of understanding more profound.

enhance comprehension

Focuses on improving the ability to grasp and interpret information.

improve awareness

Emphasizes increasing knowledge or perception of something.

expand knowledge

Focuses on broadening the scope of one's knowledge base.

formulate insights

Highlights the formation of a mental vision into the nature of things.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop understanding" to describe the process of gaining a deeper comprehension of a topic. For example, "It takes time to "develop understanding" of complex scientific theories."

What are some alternatives to "develop understanding"?

Alternatives include "gain understanding", "foster understanding", or "build understanding", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "develop understanding" or "gain understanding"?

Both phrases are correct, but "develop understanding" emphasizes the process of gradually building comprehension, while "gain understanding" focuses on the result of acquiring knowledge.

How does actively engaging with material help in "developing understanding"?

Actively engaging, such as through experimentation or discussion, forces you to process information more deeply. This active processing promotes better retention and a more thorough "build understanding" of the material.