have understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing knowledge or comprehension about a particular subject or topic. Example: "To excel in this field, it is essential to have understanding of the latest technologies and trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

As reported in chapters XVII to XXI, Dante experienced a change of heart, and rather than write poems of anguish, he determined to write poems in praise of his lady, especially the canzone "Donne ch'avete intelletto d'amore" ("Ladies Who Have Understanding of Love").

Encyclopedia Britannica

"They're using geography as a weapon, making their absolute eradication more difficult, and the Americans have understanding of the value of this weapon, no?" he said, contending that the rebels did not number more than a few hundred in any case.

The New York Times

Each team member must have understanding of team structure, role and responsibilities.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The Expensify AI will be more powerful than many of the AI focused giant companies like Facebook and Google, because Expensify will have understanding of your expense history - where you shop, eat, transportation and hotel preferences and much more.

Huffington Post

Have understanding of general legal profession and access to the e-filing market through existing relationships.

Bplans

To gain insight and have understanding of signaling mechanisms involved in the magnolol anticarcinogenic effect, we used human epidermoid A431 cells as an in vitro model.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Have your own understanding of what the artist needs next.

The Guardian - Music

"But Sadat had his own understanding of his mission..

The New Yorker

It turned out that he didn't have any understanding of what had happened.

The Guardian

Have an understanding of the cause.

WikiHow

For a time, the boy had no understanding of what had happened.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider using a more direct verb like "understand" instead of the phrase "have understanding of".

Common error

Avoid using "have understanding of" in contexts where a simpler word like "understand" or "know" would suffice, as overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have understanding of" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the possession of knowledge or comprehension regarding a particular subject. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

22%

Science

28%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have understanding of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate comprehension or knowledge. Ludwig suggests that it often appears in neutral to formal contexts, but can sometimes be replaced with more concise alternatives like "understand" depending on the desired emphasis. Common sources include news outlets and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possess knowledge of

Emphasizes the state of knowing facts or information.

comprehend

A more concise and direct verb indicating understanding.

grasp the meaning of

Suggests a firm and complete understanding.

be aware of

Focuses on being conscious or informed about something.

appreciate the significance of

Highlights understanding the importance or value of something.

have a handle on

Implies practical understanding and control.

perceive

Indicates an intuitive or insightful understanding.

fathom

Suggests a deep and thorough understanding, often of something complex.

be cognizant of

Highlights being fully aware and informed.

have an appreciation for

Focuses on understanding and valuing something.

FAQs

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

Use "have understanding of" to indicate comprehension or knowledge about a subject. For instance, "To succeed in this role, you must "have understanding of" data analysis techniques."

What are some alternatives to "have understanding of"?

Alternatives include "possess knowledge of", "comprehend", or "grasp the meaning of", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it better to say "understand" or "have understanding of"?

"Understand" is generally more concise and preferred unless you specifically want to emphasize the possession of understanding as a quality or state. For example, "It is important to "understand" the basic principles" is often better than "It is important to "have understanding of" the basic principles."

How does "have understanding of" differ from "be aware of"?

"Have understanding of" implies a deeper comprehension than "be aware of". "Be aware of" simply means being conscious of something, while "have understanding of" suggests a more thorough and nuanced grasp of the subject.