good at understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good at understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person when they have the ability to comprehend complex concepts. For example, "He is very good at understanding the nuances of the difficult material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For us humans, we're so good at understanding what we're seeing that we don't even understand what's hard about it, but it's really hard for computers.

Columbia University

Scientists are good at understanding processes that they can study.

The New York Times - Science

So I'm pretty good at understanding their problem.

The New York Times

I'm good at understanding dangerous situations or conflict.

The Guardian - Sport

People are good at understanding one another's emotions.

The New York Times - Science

"Dog's aren't so good at understanding things like that," he said.

The Guardian - Books

Machine learning is now pretty good at understanding photographs, and has ambitious aims for moving pictures.

MIT Technology Review

"Our learning systems are really good at understanding things that look like fraud," he says.

MIT Technology Review

Social workers are good at understanding human behaviour, motivation and interpersonal relationships, as well as workforce challenges.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In reality, though, the Apple Watch isn't yet good enough at understanding the strange words and brand names that often identify specific products.

MIT Technology Review

This gives us a good shot at understanding the pathological forms, and developing ways to treat and maybe even prevent them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "good at understanding" to highlight someone's capacity to empathize with others' perspectives.

Common error

While versatile, consider stronger synonyms like "proficient" or "astute" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone. Reserve "good at understanding" for scenarios where simplicity and directness are preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good at understanding" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates someone's proficiency or skill in comprehending a specific subject, concept, or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a common phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

9%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "good at understanding" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for describing someone's competence in comprehending concepts or situations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is widely applicable, ranging from everyday conversations to formal writing. While versatile, it's important to tailor your vocabulary choices based on the context (such as the need to sound more formal). Consider alternatives like "adept at grasping" or "skilled in perceiving" for more formal tone. Recognized in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, this phrase remains a solid choice for expressing comprehension abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of comprehending

Emphasizes the capacity to fully understand complex matters.

excellent at deducing

Highlights the ability to draw logical conclusions from available information.

adept at grasping

Uses a more formal vocabulary to indicate skill in comprehending concepts.

strong at interpreting

Suggests a robustness in the ability to translate and explain information.

skilled in perceiving

Focuses on the skill of noticing and interpreting information effectively.

proficient in discerning

Highlights the ability to distinguish subtle differences and make accurate judgments.

sharp at deciphering

Emphasizes the capability to read between the lines and understand the underlying meaning.

knowledgeable in recognizing

Implies a pre-existing knowledge base that aids in identifying and understanding patterns.

seasoned at intuiting

Implies a wealth of experience leading to an ability to instantly understand

astute in detecting

Conveys a keenness and cleverness in noticing and understanding subtle cues.

FAQs

How can I use "good at understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "good at understanding" to describe someone's ability to quickly grasp concepts. For example, "She is "good at understanding" complex algorithms."

What can I say instead of "good at understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "adept at grasping", "skilled in perceiving", or "capable of comprehending" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "good at understanding" or "good in understanding"?

"Good at understanding" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Good in understanding" is less frequently used and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "good at understanding" and "knowledgeable about"?

"Good at understanding" implies a capacity to comprehend and interpret information, while "knowledgeable about" suggests possessing a wide range of information about a particular subject. For example, you might be "knowledgeable about" history, but not necessarily "good at understanding" current events.