gain an understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

"gain an understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're talking about gaining knowledge or comprehension of something. For example: "I am trying to gain an understanding of French grammar."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once you understand where your data is, gain an understanding of who has access to that data and why.

Forbes

Objectives: Students will gain an understanding of paleontological field work.

University of California, Berkeley

4. Begin to gain an understanding of the course framework.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

One must gain an understanding of Java's other weaknesses.

Hack Proofing Your Web Applications The Only Way to Stop a Hacker Is to Think Like One

"They gain an understanding of humanity, a knowledge of other people and other perspectives".

The New York Times

What circumstances must be understood to gain an understanding of why this event occurred?

The New York Times

To gain an understanding of what customers required and expected, Terzioglu turned to design consultancy Continuum.

The Guardian

I sat on sidelines as observer on some issues 2 gain an understanding of decisions.

The Guardian

Helps students gain an understanding of how to make decisions about compensation.

Cornell University

Designed to enable students to gain an understanding of major issues in international agricultural development.

Cornell University

In the process students gain an understanding of incarceration on an immediate and personal scale.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to precisely describe the depth of your comprehension, supplement "gain an understanding of" with adjectives like 'thorough', 'basic', or 'nuanced'.

Common error

While versatile, "gain an understanding of" can sound repetitive in formal writing. Vary your vocabulary by using more precise synonyms like "comprehend", "discern", or "assimilate" depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gain an understanding of" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an infinitive phrase, often used to express the purpose or outcome of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used to describe acquiring knowledge or comprehension.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gain an understanding of" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the process of acquiring knowledge or comprehension. As Ludwig AI validates, it is a common phrase applicable across various contexts, although precise synonyms might be preferable in overly formal settings. Its frequent usage in academic, news, and scientific domains, as exemplified by sources like The New York Times and Forbes, suggests its broad applicability. While alternatives such as "develop an awareness of" or "acquire knowledge about" offer nuanced variations, "gain an understanding of" remains a robust and readily understood phrase for expressing the achievement of comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop an awareness of

Focuses on the gradual development of awareness rather than a complete understanding.

acquire knowledge about

Emphasizes the acquisition of factual knowledge.

familiarize oneself with

Highlights the process of becoming acquainted or conversant with something.

get to grips with

Suggests a more hands-on, practical understanding.

build up a picture of

Implies constructing a comprehensive understanding from various pieces of information.

form a grasp of

Indicates achieving a basic level of comprehension.

reach an appreciation of

Suggests developing a sense of value or importance, in addition to understanding.

become conversant in

Highlights fluency and competence in a subject.

cultivate insight into

Emphasizes the development of deeper, more nuanced understanding.

apprehend the essence of

Focuses on understanding the core or fundamental nature of something.

FAQs

What does "gain an understanding of" mean?

The phrase "gain an understanding of" means to acquire knowledge, comprehension, or insight about a particular subject, topic, or situation. It implies a process of learning and developing a clear perception or awareness.

How can I use "gain an understanding of" in a sentence?

You can use "gain an understanding of" to describe the process of learning and comprehending something. For example, "Students will "gain an understanding of" complex scientific concepts through hands-on experiments".

What are some alternatives to "gain an understanding of"?

Some alternatives to "gain an understanding of" include "develop an awareness of", "acquire knowledge about", or "familiarize oneself with", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "gain understanding" or "gain an understanding of"?

While "gain understanding" is grammatically correct, "gain an understanding of" is more common and natural-sounding. The addition of "an" and "of" provides more clarity and context, making the phrase more idiomatic.