discerning understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"discerning understanding" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when you want to describe someone's ability to think deeply about a concept or situation and gain insights that others cannot. For example, "She had a discerning understanding of what was going wrong in her relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In 1917 they founded their own publishing house, the Hogarth Press, and their discerning understanding encouraged such writers as T.S. Eliot and E.M. Forster.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The machine is making correlations all the time, discerning and understanding patterns," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

The tool of human memory, discerning eyes and understanding both the pragmatism of the present and the symbolic, collective meaning of a given place are often left behind in today's discussions of urban solutions.

Huffington Post

His profound understanding and discerning judgment on intellectual matters, and his warm sense of humor, will be greatly missed by all.

The New York Times

Ideas collected from disciplinary experts and students were compiled and analyzed in order to identify the specific concepts that are troublesome for students and to discern how deep understanding of these concepts leads to a transformed and integrated understanding of biochemistry.

CBE Life Sciences Education

These confounding factors are only aggravated by the high between-subject variability, thus hindering the ability to compare the pharmacologic response at different dose levels, discerning the therapeutic window, and understanding the impact of CYP2D6 on the PK of LY2878735.

CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology

Understanding people's motivations, discerning consumer insights, creating compelling messages and delivering them across multiple channels and devices at appropriate intervals remain fundamental inputs to successful marketing communications.

The Guardian

Here, we have developed a new model for gliomagenesis in hopes of understanding these patterns and discerning the contributions made to tumor formation.

Plosone

Indeed, some responses disclosed a greater understanding of the disease, discerning different types of cancer, the possibility that some might respond to treatment, and an awareness of the temporal dimensions of the illness.

British Journal of Cancer

The understanding of evolution depends on discerning the causes of variations among individuals which impact the fitness of future generations and its genetic basis.

Plosone

Understanding the religious landscape, however, requires discerning differences between the smaller, let's call it "big-E Evangelicalism," which gets much media attention, and a much larger, little-e evangelicalism, which does not.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discerning understanding" when you want to emphasize a deep, insightful comprehension that goes beyond surface-level knowledge. It's particularly effective when describing someone's ability to grasp subtle or complex concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "discerning understanding" in overly casual contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound pretentious if a simpler phrase like "good understanding" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discerning understanding" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "discerning" modifies "understanding", indicating a refined or insightful quality to the understanding. Ludwig confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discerning understanding" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a particularly insightful and accurate comprehension. While Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct, its usage is relatively rare, often appearing in formal or scientific contexts. When considering alternatives, phrases like "acute comprehension" or "profound insight" can convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you wish to emphasize. While appropriate in certain contexts, avoid using "discerning understanding" in casual settings, as simpler phrasing is generally preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acute comprehension

Replaces "discerning" with "acute", emphasizing the sharpness and intensity of the understanding.

insightful grasp

Substitutes both words to highlight the depth and completeness of the understanding.

profound insight

Focuses on the depth of the understanding, using "profound" and "insight" to convey a similar meaning.

astute perception

Emphasizes the keenness and observational skill involved in understanding.

shrewd appreciation

Highlights the practical intelligence and value placed on the understanding.

keen awareness

Shifts the focus to being keenly aware and knowledgeable.

clear insight

Highlights clarity in understanding by replacing discerning with clear.

subtle appreciation

Indicates an understanding of nuances or details that are not immediately obvious.

discriminating intelligence

Highlights the ability to make fine distinctions and judgments.

deep seated knowledge

Highlights the depth of the understanding, indicating a thorough familiarity with the subject

FAQs

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

You can use "discerning understanding" to describe someone who possesses a keen and insightful comprehension of a subject, like: "She demonstrated a "discerning understanding" of the nuances of the legal arguments."

What are some alternatives to "discerning understanding"?

Alternatives include "acute comprehension", "insightful grasp", or "profound insight". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "discerning understanding" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "discerning understanding" leans towards formal usage. In casual settings, simpler phrases like "good understanding" or "clear grasp" are usually more appropriate.

How does "discerning understanding" differ from "general understanding"?

"Discerning understanding" implies a deeper and more insightful comprehension than a "general understanding". It suggests an ability to perceive subtle details and make nuanced judgments.