earn understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"earn understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to emphasize the idea of learning something through effort and experience, rather than simply being taught it. For example, "I'm sure that if you put in the effort, you can earn understanding of this difficult topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"By doing so, they hope to earn understanding and forgiveness of the families of the sickened children".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I fell so many times," earning understanding nods from skaters in the audience.

Harvard University

To look at the "hard earned understandings of past artists through a different lens," Stuart Atteberry (a painter and digital artist himself) has compressed a selection of works by modern artists Piet Mondrian and Mark Rothko, creating two videos of dynamic glitch art.

Vice

She writes of the moors above the Brontës' home village of Haworth with an earned lyricism, understanding that the moors' "dreariness" was not a straightforward thing.

The Guardian - Books

They will learn that privilege is not a birthright, that it has to be earned, along with understanding that they need to earn their place in society and earn the right to succeed.

The Guardian

The reaction in other parts of the world also suggests that Strauss and the ECB have not earned widespread understanding for their stance.

Independent

Only half of all the welfare-leavers had a clear understanding of the Earned Income Tax Credit, the government's chief tool for increasing the incomes of the working poor.

The Economist

But the equation is violently perverted if you're more willing to suffer the indignity of walking around with a feeding tube shoved down your face than you are to simply re-evaluate how you approach food and exercise, or to earn a profounder understanding of beauty and health.

Huffington Post

As well as understanding what it costs, we have a clear understanding of what each and every sale earns us in gross profit.

The Guardian

Reaching a clear understanding of how city employees are supposed to earn their taxpayer-financed paychecks can be much more complicated than merely reading union contracts.

The New York Times

Today it is worth $51 billion, making it America's 17th largest financial firm by market value.BlackRock quickly earned a reputation for understanding the complex securities dreamed up by ever more creative Wall Street types.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earn understanding" when you want to convey that comprehension is not passively received, but actively achieved through dedication or experience. For example, "Through diligent study, students can earn understanding of complex theories."

Common error

Avoid using "earn understanding" when the context implies simple acceptance or agreement without effort. Instead of saying "He earned understanding of the rules", consider "He accepted the rules" if no effort was involved in his comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earn understanding" functions as a verb phrase where 'earn' acts as a transitive verb requiring an object ('understanding'). It signifies the action of acquiring comprehension through effort or merit. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "earn understanding" is grammatically sound and emphasizes that comprehension is achieved through effort and active learning, as confirmed by Ludwig. While its occurrence is uncommon, it finds its primary use in News & Media, Academia and Science. It implies that comprehension requires dedication or experience to achieve. Related phrases such as "acquire comprehension" and "gain insight" offer similar meanings, but the primary phrase uniquely highlights effort. Remembering the nuance behind "earn understanding" will help your writing be more precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire comprehension

Emphasizes the process of gaining complete mental grasp.

gain insight

Focuses on achieving a deeper, more intuitive understanding.

achieve acceptance

Highlights the attainment of approval or agreement through demonstrated effort.

win approval

Stresses gaining endorsement or positive regard.

merit recognition

Focuses on deserving and receiving acknowledgement for one's understanding.

garner respect

Emphasizes earning admiration or high regard.

attain knowledge

Highlights the process of gaining information and understanding.

secure agreement

Focuses on obtaining consensus or alignment.

develop a grasp

Emphasizes the gradual process of forming an understanding.

cultivate empathy

Focuses on building understanding through shared feelings and experiences.

FAQs

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

Use "earn understanding" to suggest that comprehension is achieved through effort or experience. For example, "By listening to different perspectives, we can "earn understanding" of complex social issues."

What does it mean to "earn understanding"?

To "earn understanding" signifies that comprehension is not given freely, but requires active effort, learning, or experience to achieve. It suggests a deeper level of comprehension than simply being told something.

What are some alternatives to "earn understanding"?

Alternatives to "earn understanding" include "acquire comprehension", "gain insight", or "develop a grasp", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "earn understanding" the same as "gain understanding"?

While similar, "earn understanding" emphasizes the effort or deservingness of the comprehension, while "gain understanding" is a more general term for acquiring comprehension. "Earn" suggests a process of working towards and achieving comprehension.