flawed understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flawed understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a comprehension or interpretation that is incorrect or incomplete. Example: "His flawed understanding of the theory led to several mistakes in his analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

He adds: "It is a deeply flawed understanding because of the two-way interaction between organisms and the environment.

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Spitzer accused his critics of hampering his investigation and declared that the criticism was "wholly without basis and reflects a flawed understanding" of securities regulation.

The New York Times

The advancement of the likes of Powell and Rice within the Bush administration, argues Davis, exemplifies a flawed understanding of what it means to tackle modern-day racism.

The Guardian

According to the spokesman, the opportunity presents itself to amass nearly $25 million (Derek Jeter's annual salary) from people with a flawed understanding of alternate-side parking.

The New York Times

It becomes even more problematic when the historical analogies driving current policy are based on an incomplete and flawed understanding of America's past failures.

The New York Times

He quotes, for instance, leading collapse anthropologist Prof Joseph Tainter, who critiques the HANDY model for a "flawed" understanding of the rise and fall of civilisations due to unsustainable levels of complexity.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Examination of CSR and CSR reporting practices without contextualisation could perpetuate flawed understandings that are based on evidence from research in the developed world.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

With peer review remaining so central to the research process, despite its flaws, understanding the motivations to publish in peer reviewed journals and to review another academic's work is crucial.

The Guardian

Becoming self-aware means recognising our flaws and understanding how we can improve.

The Guardian

There is another related expression to this one, TAKE X OUT OF CONTEXT, which means that X has been removed from the textual and/or situational context in which it was produced, i.e. information is missing which makes understanding flawed in some way.

Functional Linguistics

Such an attitude is flawed with the understanding that the most cost-effective approach to treating serious infections is the approach that is most likely to achieve rapid clinical success.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing an idea, specify how the "flawed understanding" leads to negative outcomes. For example, "Their "flawed understanding" of the market led to significant financial losses."

Common error

Avoid using "flawed understanding" when a simple lack of information is the issue. "Limited knowledge" or "lack of awareness" may be more appropriate if the individual hasn't formed a concrete but incorrect understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flawed understanding" acts as a noun phrase, where "flawed" modifies "understanding", indicating a negative attribute. It describes the state of having an incorrect or incomplete comprehension, a usage confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flawed understanding" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe an incorrect or incomplete comprehension. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, science, and general discourse. While alternatives like "inaccurate understanding" and "misguided understanding" exist, "flawed understanding" succinctly conveys the idea of a deficiency in comprehension. When using the phrase, it's important to clearly explain the specific nature of the flaw and its consequences to add impact and provide clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inaccurate understanding

Indicates the comprehension is factually incorrect.

misguided understanding

Suggests the comprehension is based on faulty reasoning or assumptions.

incorrect interpretation

Highlights that the understanding is a wrong explanation of something.

faulty grasp

Emphasizes the weakness or imperfection in comprehension.

deficient knowledge

Focuses on a lack of necessary information for proper understanding.

incomplete grasp

Highlights that the understanding is not comprehensive or fully developed.

imperfect comprehension

Denotes the understanding contains errors and is not ideal.

erroneous perception

Indicates that the understanding is based on a false or mistaken belief.

defective insight

Implies there's a fundamental problem with the way something is understood.

weak insight

A reduced strength and/or effectiveness in insight.

FAQs

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

You can use "flawed understanding" to describe someone's incorrect or incomplete comprehension of a topic. For example, "His "flawed understanding" of economics led him to make poor investment decisions."

What's a more formal alternative to "flawed understanding"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "inaccurate understanding", "deficient knowledge", or "imperfect comprehension".

How does "flawed understanding" differ from "lack of understanding"?

"Flawed understanding" implies an existing, but incorrect, comprehension. "Lack of understanding" simply means there's no comprehension at all. Someone with a "flawed understanding" might act on misinformation, while someone with a lack of understanding would likely seek information first.

Is "flawed understanding" always negative?

Yes, "flawed understanding" carries a negative connotation because it indicates an error or deficiency in comprehension. It suggests that someone's understanding is not only incomplete but also inaccurate or misleading.