foster understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

'foster understanding' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to promote understanding or create an atmosphere in which understanding can thrive. For example, "The teacher fostered understanding between her students by encouraging them to discuss their differences and similarities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Across Germany Bundesliga clubs have launched a range of schemes to try to foster understanding.

The Guardian - Sport

The goal is to foster understanding of complex fire emission system dynamics and feedbacks.

Forest Ecology and Management

Of course it is hypothetical, but it would foster understanding, between one interest and another, one region and another.

The Guardian - Opinion

IR electives can foster understanding of how a large scale IR department functions.

Yale University

Field study to foster understanding of natural hazards and human influence on the environment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

To foster understanding and agreement between counterparts of different cultural backgrounds.

Harvard University

Foster understanding and awareness of stem cell biology to the public.

Yale University

Some people in our city, however, struggle unsung, perhaps even unknown, to foster understanding of the city's diversity.

The New York Times

The Patient Navigator Project was designed to foster understanding of a patient's experiences and encourage empathic communication.

The American Journal of Surgery

Even before those figures were released, Khan had declared his determination to support London's Jews and foster understanding between different ethnic and religious groups.

The Guardian

A statement from the Daniel Pearl Foundation said, "Danny believed that journalism was a tool to report the truth and foster understanding -- not perpetuate propaganda and sensationalize tragedy".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In intercultural communication, "fostering understanding" requires sensitivity and respect for diverse perspectives. Be mindful of cultural nuances and avoid making generalizations.

Common error

A common error is to assume your audience possesses foundational knowledge. Always provide necessary background information to "foster understanding" effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foster understanding" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating an action (foster) directed toward an object (understanding). Ludwig confirms its proper usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

27%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foster understanding" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to encourage and develop comprehension across diverse fields like news, academia, and science. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. As a writing tip, to "foster understanding" effectively, provide context and concrete examples. Related phrases include "promote understanding" and "cultivate understanding". Ensure you avoid assuming prior knowledge to make your message clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

promote understanding

Emphasizes the act of actively encouraging understanding.

cultivate understanding

Suggests a more gradual and nurturing process of developing understanding.

encourage understanding

Highlights the act of giving support and motivation for understanding.

develop understanding

Focuses on the gradual growth and improvement of understanding.

advance understanding

Implies moving understanding forward or making it more widespread.

improve comprehension

Concentrates on making understanding clearer and more complete.

build bridges

Uses a metaphorical expression for creating connections that lead to understanding.

create awareness

Focuses on making people conscious of something, a precursor to understanding.

facilitate dialogue

Highlights enabling conversation that leads to understanding.

instill knowledge

Implies imparting information that forms the basis for understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "foster understanding" to describe actions that promote comprehension, such as: "The project aims to foster understanding between different cultures."

What are some alternative phrases for "foster understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "promote understanding", "cultivate understanding", or "encourage understanding" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "foster understanding" and "create awareness"?

"Foster understanding" implies a deeper comprehension and empathy, while "create awareness" focuses on making people conscious of an issue. Fostering understanding goes beyond mere awareness.

Is "fostering understanding" grammatically correct?

Yes, "fostering understanding" is grammatically correct. The gerund form "fostering" can act as a subject or part of a continuous verb tense.