gained some understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gained some understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the process of acquiring knowledge or insight about a particular subject or situation. Example: "After attending the seminar, I gained some understanding of the complexities involved in climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In an e-mail Honda spokesman Chris Martin wrote that the automaker had not issued a recall sooner because it had taken time to fully understand the problem and while "we had gained some understanding of what may have occurred in some vehicles in Canada — we did not at that time have enough information to draw conclusions about the existence of or frequency of occurrences in the United States".

The New York Times

After 1908 Abd al-Rahman was allowed to live in Omdurman and study under a distinguished Azharite named Muhammad al-Badawi, where he gained some understanding of Islamic jurisprudence and the fundamentals of his religion, including the Hadith, or Prophet's tradition.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Let's hope that this time Washington takes the time to gain some understanding.

The New York Times

"By studying the properties of natural languages, their structure, organization, and use," Chomsky wrote, "we may hope to gain some understanding of the specific characteristics of human intelligence.

The New Yorker

Then, I propose that we postpone further discussion... to give ourselves time to develop disagreement and perhaps gain some understanding of what the decision is all about".

The New Yorker

Yet it is different enough that I need to work to gain some understanding of it in the same way I am working to learn the elegant quail.

The New York Times

It's possible that some of the children may want to meet the donor, to say thank you more than anything, to gain some understanding of how they came to be.

The Guardian

By making the structures as similar as possible to the new 2dF data, Virgo members, including Dr. Frenk, can gain some understanding of the density of the real universe.

The New York Times

And knowing something of the language generally means you have at least tried to gain some understanding of the culture and history of a place, which is invaluable whether reporting or going somewhere on holiday.

The Guardian

Whatever the answer to that, this positively Orwellian distortion of language needs to be challenged if we are to gain some understanding of the world in which we live and current political events.

The Guardian

Mayor Todd Strange told me last spring, "We certainly appreciate the fact that it's going to lead to a big influx of people who want to come and gain some understanding.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gained some understanding", ensure the context clearly indicates what new knowledge or insight was acquired. Specify the subject or area where understanding was improved.

Common error

Avoid using "gained some understanding" when the context suggests a comprehensive or complete understanding was achieved. This phrase implies a partial or initial grasp, not mastery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gained some understanding" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of acquiring a degree of comprehension or knowledge. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

45%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gained some understanding" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate the acquisition of partial knowledge or insight. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It is applicable in various contexts, primarily in news, science and general writing, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure to specify what specific understanding was achieved and be mindful not to overstate the degree of comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquired some comprehension

Replaces "understanding" with the more formal "comprehension" and "gained" with "acquired".

obtained some insight

Substitutes "understanding" with "insight", suggesting a deeper level of awareness; replaces "gained" with "obtained".

developed some awareness

Focuses on the development of awareness rather than a static understanding.

grasped some knowledge

Emphasizes the act of seizing or grasping knowledge, suggesting active learning. Replaces understanding with knowledge.

achieved some clarity

Shifts the focus to achieving a state of clarity, implying the removal of confusion. Replaces understanding with clarity.

formed some impressions

Indicates the formation of initial ideas or beliefs, often based on incomplete information. Replaces understanding with impressions.

built some familiarity

Highlights the gradual process of becoming familiar with something. Replaces understanding with familiarity.

attained some wisdom

Suggests a higher level of understanding that comes with experience. Replaces understanding with wisdom.

fostered some perception

Focuses on cultivating a particular view or perspective. Replaces understanding with perception.

cultivated some cognizance

Indicates a formal or intellectual acknowledgement or knowledge. Replaces understanding with cognizance.

FAQs

How can I use "gained some understanding" in a sentence?

Use "gained some understanding" to indicate that you've started to comprehend a subject, but not completely. For example, "After the lecture, I "gained some understanding" of quantum physics".

What's a more formal way to say "gained some understanding"?

A more formal alternative is "acquired some comprehension". This phrasing is suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "gained a understanding" instead of "gained some understanding"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "gained some understanding" or "gained an understanding". The word "some" implies a partial or initial understanding, while "an understanding" implies a complete understanding.

What's the difference between "gained some understanding" and "obtained some insight"?

"Gained some understanding" generally refers to acquiring factual knowledge or a basic comprehension. "Obtained some insight" suggests a deeper, more intuitive grasp of a situation or concept.