expand their understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expand their understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of increasing knowledge or comprehension about a particular subject or topic. Example: "The workshop aims to expand their understanding of environmental issues and sustainable practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

According to his website, he strives "to help viewers understand the world and expand their understanding and experiences, so that they can activate and renew their lives and environments".

Vice

Apparently pupils should be encouraged to read what they want to read rather than books which expand their understanding of life as well as literature.

The Guardian - Books

To expand their understanding of this article and of adapting Shakespeare, assign small student groups to each of the productions to which the refers.

The New York Times

Like generations of Brearley girls, Ruth's adult students became enthralled by Ruth's remarkable ability to deepen, complicate and expand their understanding of, and feeling for, the fully formed characters we meet in Shakespeare's plays.

The New York Times

VENUS slides between us and the Sun today, an exceedingly rare spectacle that scientists hope will expand their understanding of our solar system and refine their inquiries about distant planets.

The New York Times

A core group of staff used the groups to reflect on practice and expand their understanding.

Nurse Education Today

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

By the 21st century, psychologists had expanded their understanding of the Stockholm syndrome from hostages to other groups, including victims of domestic violence, cult members, prisoners of war, procured prostitutes, and abused children.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Scientists and engineers have expanded their understanding of the systems that control catalysis under extremes and have insights into the stability and adaptability of extreme systems.

Microbial Biodegradation and Bioremediation

Several participants also spoke about how CrossFit expanded their understanding of being "fit and healthy" to include the notions of seeking balance in one's life (e.g., meaning work hard at work or at the box but also make time for "play" activities) and of being physically active on a daily basis.

Fashion and Textiles

Over the last twenty years I've engaged audiences with a goal of expanding their understanding of gender.

Huffington Post

7. Industrial Food System -- Moving into middle school, the emphasis on getting their hands dirty and familiarizing themselves with kitchens and cooking should be gradually replaced with expanding their understanding of food systems, i.e., how food is grown, processed and delivered to consumers.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expand their understanding" when you want to emphasize the process of gaining a wider and more complete comprehension of a subject, especially when prior knowledge is limited.

Common error

Avoid pairing "expand their understanding" with overly general subjects like "the world" without specifying a more concrete area of knowledge. Instead of saying "expand their understanding of the world", be more specific like "expand their understanding of climate change" or "expand their understanding of different cultures".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expand their understanding" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to describe an action taken to increase comprehension. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expand their understanding" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes the process of increasing comprehension and knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its frequent appearance across various contexts—including news, science, and business—highlights its versatility. While alternatives like "deepen their comprehension" or "broaden their perspective" may be suitable depending on the specific context, "expand their understanding" remains a solid and widely accepted choice. Remember to pair it with specific subjects to avoid vagueness and maximize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance their knowledge

Highlights progress and improvement in what is known.

deepen their comprehension

Emphasizes making understanding more profound rather than just broader.

improve their grasp

Suggests gaining a firmer hold on the subject matter.

broaden their perspective

Focuses on expanding the range of viewpoints considered.

develop their insights

Implies cultivating deeper, more intuitive understanding.

enhance their awareness

Highlights increasing consciousness and perception.

enlarge their worldview

Centers on making their global perspective more comprehensive.

widen their horizons

Metaphorically extends the scope of knowledge and experience.

extend their expertise

Focuses on growing specialized skills and knowledge in a particular field.

cultivate their intellect

Focuses on nurturing and refining intellectual abilities.

FAQs

How can I use "expand their understanding" in a sentence?

Use "expand their understanding" to describe the process of broadening someone's knowledge or comprehension of a subject. For example: "The course is designed to "expand their understanding" of modern physics".

What are some alternatives to "expand their understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "deepen their comprehension", "broaden their perspective", or "enhance their awareness" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "expand their knowledge" or "expand their understanding"?

While both are correct, "expand their understanding" emphasizes comprehension and insight, whereas "expand their knowledge" focuses on accumulating facts. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context you're describing.

What is the difference between "expand their understanding" and "improve their understanding"?

"Expand their understanding" suggests broadening the scope of their comprehension, while "improve their understanding" implies enhancing the quality and accuracy of their existing knowledge. They are interchangeable, depending on context.