indicating understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indicating understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a gesture, expression, or statement that shows comprehension or acknowledgment of information. Example: "She nodded, indicating understanding of the complex topic we were discussing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This study sampled a large number of respondents from multiple countries, 78 81% of whom were willing to trade-off health improvements against projected life expectancy, indicating understanding and acceptance of the TTO concept.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But he indicated understanding for Israel's complaint that talking about an "umbrella" sounded like Iranian nukes were a fait accompli.

The New York Times

By Amy Davidson Sorkin September 28, 2010 On the occasion of International Literacy Day, the President of Afghanistan breaks down: If these were the sort of tears that indicated understanding of the job he needs to do, the scene might be less jarring.

The New Yorker

The lead author of the new paper, Dr. Andrew M. Goldfine, an assistant professor of neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medical College, said the EEG data that the authors recorded do not necessarily indicate understanding.

The New York Times

As these different approaches to competence indicate, understanding the definition of competence is highly complex, and therefore it has to be situated within the context.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Although this might indicate understanding, in some cases it merely indicates respect for the person in authority – acknowledging a lack of understanding might suggest that the researcher had not provided adequate explanation, which could be seen as being disrespectful [ 77].

BMC Medical Ethics

As shown in table 2, most of the participants' written responses indicated understanding of the key point that screening increases breast cancer incidence through the detection of non-threatening cancers.

British Medical Journal

Analyses revealed that the two pedagogical approaches had similar outcomes with respect to the traditional questions, but conceptual understanding scores (indicating better understanding of the concepts that were applied to problem solving) were significantly higher for the case-based modules.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Health concern was the most important reason for implementing a smoke-free policy, indicating an understanding of the health effects of SHS and potentially THS.

BioMed Research International

Students in Stage 1 start with a novice understanding of both genetics and evolution, and they are struggling to use basic vocabulary correctly, without indicating conceptual understanding.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

NI parrots the phrase "evolution lacks forethought" without indicating an understanding of what it means.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indicating understanding" to explicitly highlight comprehension, especially in situations where acknowledgment needs to be emphasized.

Common error

Avoid using "indicating understanding" when the demonstration of comprehension is ambiguous or unclear. Be specific about what understanding is being shown.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indicating understanding" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. It describes the act of showing comprehension or acknowledgment of something. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indicating understanding" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the act of showing comprehension. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's versatile and applicable across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in specific academic or professional settings. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly demonstrates what is being understood to avoid ambiguity. Overall, it serves as a valuable tool for explicitly highlighting comprehension in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrating comprehension

Focuses on the act of showing understanding through actions or explanations.

conveying understanding

Focuses on the transmission or communication of understanding to others.

signaling comprehension

Implies a clear signal or indication of understanding.

reflecting comprehension

Understanding is mirrored or shown in a response.

showing awareness

Highlights a general understanding or consciousness of a subject.

suggesting awareness

Subtly hints at an understanding or consciousness.

acknowledging awareness

Highlights a recognition and acceptance of understanding.

displaying knowledge

Emphasizes the possession and exhibition of factual information.

demonstrating insight

Emphasizes a deeper, more perceptive level of understanding.

exhibiting familiarity

Displays a comfortable and knowledgeable understanding of a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "indicating understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "indicating understanding" to describe actions or statements that show comprehension. For example: "She nodded, "indicating understanding" of the instructions".

What are some alternatives to "indicating understanding"?

Alternatives include "demonstrating comprehension", "showing awareness", or "signaling comprehension", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "indicating understanding" formal or informal?

"Indicating understanding" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "demonstrating comprehension" may be preferred in academic or professional settings.

What's the difference between "indicating understanding" and "having understanding"?

"Indicating understanding" describes the act of showing comprehension, while "having understanding" describes the state of possessing knowledge or comprehension. The former is an action, the latter is a state of being.