hinges on the understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hinges on the understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is dependent or contingent upon a particular understanding or interpretation. Example: "The success of the project hinges on the understanding of the client's needs and expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Though I'd probably best leave it a bit before let ting either of them near the actual book, whose title, Frost on My Moustache, hinges on the understanding of a graphic act of bestiality.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

According to the company's winningly titled chief visionary officer, Sung Joo Kim, its success so far has hinged on the understanding of major developments in the luxury market.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The concept of independence, of course, hinges on the basic understanding of "me".

WikiHow

Each of these pursuits hinges on the understanding that living matter obeys the same principles as nonliving matter.

Princeton University

Whereas Hegel argues that everything hinges on the understanding that "substance is subject" (Hegel 1807, p. 19), Yorck's position is that everything hinges on the understanding that "substance is history" or "substance is historical spirit".[4] Yorck's primary category of historical life does not only challenge transcendental philosophy as too-narrow a foothold for philosophy.

SEP

Rendering "to each his due" hinges on one's understanding of what each deserves, and this cannot be correctly ascertained without taking into account the dignity and worth that are at the same time general qualities of all persons, and inseparable from the singularity of each of them.

SEP

None of this is, in fact, new: Oscar Wilde's trials hinged on the courts' understanding of natural love and unnatural vice.

The New York Times

In both cases, our understanding of the parts hinges on our understanding of a larger whole, which, again, can only be understood on the basis of the parts.

SEP

Second, though the interpretation of the results hinges on a thorough understanding of the methods that were used, many readers of scientific literature would not have the time of entering into these details.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

The central feature of relational thinking hinges on understanding the meaning of the equal sign ("="; [12, 22]), which indicates a relationship of equality between numbers or expressions [8, 17].

Fields Mathematics Education Journal

Our ability to predict changes in ecosystem function and associated services ultimately hinges on our understanding of community- and ecosystem-scale responses.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hinges on the understanding of", ensure that the specific understanding is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what needs to be understood and by whom for the statement to be valid.

Common error

Avoid using "hinges on the understanding of" when a simpler expression like "depends on" or "relies on" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hinges on the understanding of" functions as a connector, indicating that a particular outcome, result, or conclusion is directly dependent on a specific comprehension or grasp of something. As Ludwig AI points out, it signifies reliance on a particular interpretation or knowledge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hinges on the understanding of" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is critically dependent on a particular comprehension. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and common in various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. While the phrase conveys a critical dependency, alternatives like "depends on" or "relies on" may be appropriate in less formal contexts. When using "hinges on the understanding of", clarity is key: make sure to specify what needs to be understood and by whom to avoid ambiguity. Source quality analysis suggests that most occurrences of the phrase happen in highly authoritative sources. While common, avoid overusing the phrase to prevent your writing from sounding verbose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hinges on knowing the basis of

Replaces "understanding" with "knowing the basis", focusing on foundational knowledge.

Depends on grasping the concept of

Replaces "understanding" with "grasping", emphasizing comprehension.

Is based on the interpretation of

Emphasizes the role of interpreting information to create understanding.

Relies on appreciating the significance of

Substitutes "understanding" with "appreciating the significance", adding a layer of importance.

Is predicated on the knowledge of

Uses "predicated" for a more formal tone and "knowledge" to highlight factual awareness.

Turns on comprehending the essence of

Employs "turns on" for dependency and "comprehending the essence" to indicate a deep understanding.

Is contingent upon recognizing the importance of

Uses "contingent" to emphasize conditional dependency and "recognizing the importance" to highlight value.

Is subject to the interpretation of

Highlights the role of subjective interpretation rather than objective understanding.

Is determined by the perception of

Focuses on how something is perceived, suggesting that understanding may vary.

Depends on the acceptance of

Shifts the focus to acceptance or agreement, rather than mere understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "hinges on the understanding of" in a sentence?

Use "hinges on the understanding of" to indicate that the success or outcome of something directly depends on a particular comprehension or interpretation. For example: "The project's success "hinges on the understanding of" the client's needs."

What are some alternatives to "hinges on the understanding of"?

You can use alternatives like "depends on grasping the concept of", "relies on appreciating the significance of", or "is contingent upon recognizing the importance of", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "hinges on the understanding of" and "depends on"?

"Hinges on the understanding of" implies a more critical and specific reliance on a certain level of comprehension, whereas "depends on" is a more general term for reliance. The first suggests that without the specific understanding, failure is likely.

Is it better to use "understanding of" or "knowledge of" after "hinges on"?

Use "understanding of" when referring to a comprehension of concepts or ideas. Use "knowledge of" when referring to factual awareness. For example, "The solution "hinges on the understanding of" the theory", but "The outcome "hinges on the understanding of" the data".