extend an understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extend an understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey the idea of offering or providing a comprehension or insight into a situation or topic. Example: "In our discussion, I hope to extend an understanding of the challenges we face in the current market."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Further research is needed in regional- and national-level investigations to extend an understanding of the factors affecting child mortality in Tanzania.

Genus

19 Our findings strengthen and extend an understanding of the acute impact of air pollution on chronic diseases for which there is limited published evidence, in particular for diabetes, hypertension and malignancy.

BMJ Open

We chose to include subjects from two independent West Virginia population pools (median age 23-48 or age >70) in our study to help extend an understanding of the relevance of our findings to a broad sample of the West Virginian population.

BMC Oral Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Moving forward, it is argued that strategic foresight can make a vital contribution to an open form of policy making that deepens and extends an understanding of what the future could be - the necessary ficta of policy making.

European Journal of Futures Research

Neither spouse is to blame, but both need to step into the other's shoes and extend a little understanding so that the stage can be set for building the relationship back up with understanding and compromise.

WikiHow

But some are prepared to extend a little understanding.

The Economist

Finally, the implications of participation in genomics research extend beyond an understanding of consent grounded in individual rights.

European Journal of Human Genetics

It extends an interdisciplinary understanding of built environments and the forces that shape them and paves the way for more in-depth studies aimed at creating more integrative urban design theories and development strategies.

Geoforum

Guernsey's government has also agreed to extend a "memorandum of understanding" with Condor until 2018.

BBC

He added, "His great intelligence didn't seem to extend to understanding a simple fact that he would die if he went on this walk".

The New Yorker

He added, "His great intelligence didn't seem to extend to understanding a simple fact — that he would die if he went on this walk".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extend an understanding", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific aspect of understanding is being broadened or deepened.

Common error

Avoid using "extend an understanding" without specifying the subject or context. Be specific about what understanding you are trying to expand upon, otherwise, the phrase can become vague and lose its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend an understanding" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of broadening or deepening comprehension of a subject. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extend an understanding" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating the broadening or deepening of knowledge, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While most prevalent in scientific and academic contexts, it also appears in news and business domains. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject matter to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "deepen comprehension" or "broaden insight" can offer nuanced variations. While its frequency is classified as uncommon, using it correctly can add precision and depth to your writing, particularly in professional or academic spheres.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deepen comprehension

Focuses on making the existing understanding more profound, rather than necessarily broader.

broaden insight

Emphasizes expanding the scope of insight, potentially covering more areas.

enhance awareness

Highlights increasing the state of being conscious or informed.

develop a fuller appreciation

Stresses the growth of a more complete and nuanced appreciation.

expand knowledge

Concentrates on increasing the amount of information known.

advance perception

Implies a forward movement in how something is perceived or understood.

foster greater insight

Indicates promoting the growth of a more significant insight.

cultivate deeper knowledge

Suggests carefully developing a more profound understanding.

build comprehensive knowledge

Indicates constructing a thorough and complete knowledge base.

enrich comprehension

Stresses improving the quality and depth of understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "extend an understanding" to indicate a broadening or deepening of knowledge. For example, "Further research is needed to "extend an understanding" of the factors affecting child mortality."

What are some alternatives to "extend an understanding"?

Alternatives include "deepen comprehension", "broaden insight", or "enhance awareness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "extend an understanding" formal or informal?

"Extend an understanding" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in academic or professional writing.

What is the difference between "extend an understanding" and "gain an understanding"?

"Extend an understanding" implies building upon existing knowledge, while "gain an understanding" suggests acquiring knowledge for the first time.