have less understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have less understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing levels of understanding between different subjects, individuals, or groups. Example: "Some students have less understanding of the material than their peers, which can affect their performance in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

We have less understanding and compassion for other people.

The New York Times - Arts

They may also have less understanding of client services, he said.

The New York Times

He noted wryly that "you probably need to have less understanding about the connections to be political".

The New York Times - Arts

Research in children with language problems has focussed on verbal deficits, and we have less understanding of children's deficits with nonverbal sociocognitive skills which have been proposed to be important for language acquisition.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

Older people possibly have less understanding of Internet-based risks.

Crime Science

Participants commented that Aboriginal people from rural and remote locations usually have less understanding of PC.

BMC Palliative Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

That means having less understanding of, say, the pivotal importance of the miners' strike (Billy Elliot's background) in postwar British history; likewise the winter of discontent in Ratcatcher.

The Guardian - Film

Provincial policymakers were seen as having less understanding of research than those working at the central level.

Health Research Policy and Systems

In such cases reported understandings might be impacted by abilities to recall information over time, leading to participants being reported as having less understanding of the research than they did at the point of enrolment into the MalariaGEN study.

BMC Medical Ethics

Our results suggest that the physical setup of the EPR, by giving unequal access to the patient's data as well as the consultant's reaction to the data, can lead to decreased interaction or openness of discussion, which may result in the medical staff having less understanding of their patient care goals [ 15].

Critical Care

As expected, psychiatrists were more likely than community members to believe that suicide is an important social problem and that suicide can be prevented but, unexpectedly, they were also more likely to hold stigmatizing beliefs about suicidal individuals and had less understanding of and sympathy for these individuals.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the understanding of two different groups, clarify which group "have less understanding" by specifying the context or subject matter.

Common error

Avoid using "have less understanding" without specifying what the subject lacks understanding of. Provide context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have less understanding" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a deficiency or lower level of comprehension compared to a reference point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have less understanding" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that serves to express a comparative deficiency in comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While it's not the most frequent expression, it appears across various contexts, including science, news, and business, with a neutral register. To ensure clarity, specify the subject matter for which understanding is lacking. Alternatives like "lack understanding" or "have a poor understanding" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When employing this phrase, remember to be specific about what lacks understanding to avoid overgeneralizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack understanding

Emphasizes the absence of understanding.

possess limited comprehension

Highlights the restricted nature of one's understanding.

have a limited grasp

Indicates a weak or incomplete understanding.

have a poor understanding

Suggests a deficient level of understanding.

demonstrate a lack of insight

Focuses on the absence of deeper understanding or intuition.

exhibit reduced awareness

Emphasizes a diminished state of being informed or conscious.

be less informed

Highlights a state of having less knowledge or information.

be unfamiliar with

Focuses on a lack of acquaintance or experience with something.

have scant knowledge of

Indicates a minimal amount of knowledge about a subject.

be relatively ignorant of

Suggests a comparative lack of knowledge or awareness.

FAQs

How can I use "have less understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "have less understanding" to compare levels of comprehension between individuals or groups. For example, "Students who miss lectures often have less understanding of the subject matter than those who attend regularly."

What are some alternatives to "have less understanding"?

Alternatives include "lack understanding", "possess limited comprehension", or "have a poor understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "have less understanding"?

Yes, "have less understanding" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of a verb phrase with a comparative adjective.

What's the difference between "have less understanding" and "lack understanding"?

"Have less understanding" implies a comparative deficiency in comprehension, while "lack understanding" suggests a complete absence of comprehension. The choice depends on the specific degree of understanding you want to express.