it is to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is to understand" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express the purpose of understanding something, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "The goal of this exercise is to understand the underlying principles of the theory."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Life is valuable, so it may be at least as important to understand what determines mortality and its cycles as it is to understand what causes recessions.

The New York Times

And for the 350 million people worldwide with the condition, it can be just as hard to articulate its effects as it is to understand it.

Huffington Post

It is to understand it so the UK can maximise its chances of thwarting it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The more complicated the business opportunity, the more challenging it is to understand and to execute.

The New York Times

"The more you think about it, the harder it is to understand," he said.

The New Yorker

The more David Wells talks, the harder it is to understand him.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

These considerations highlight how important it is to understand the effect of stimulus manipulations on the local neuronal circuitry.

European Journal of Neuroscience

"That just shows how ridiculous these regulations are and how hard it is to understand.

The Guardian

Writing about Schubert inevitably begins with how hard it is to understand him.

The New York Times - Arts

And the more you hear a specific individual talk, the easier it is to understand them.

WikiHow

And it seems to me the best way to oppose it is to understand it.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing purpose, favor clear and conventional constructions like "in order to understand" or "the goal is to understand" over the less common and potentially confusing "it is to understand".

Common error

Avoid using "it is to understand" as it can sound unnatural. Instead, opt for more direct expressions, such as "the aim is to understand" or "the purpose is understanding", which are clearer and more widely accepted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is to understand" functions as a connector indicating purpose or intent. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrasing is not correct and lacks clarity in written English. Examples show its use to introduce an explanation or objective, but more conventional alternatives are preferred.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it is to understand" aims to express purpose, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and lacking clarity. It appears infrequently across diverse contexts like news, science, and wiki sources. More common and grammatically sound alternatives, such as "in order to understand" or "the goal is to understand", are generally preferable for clearer communication. Therefore, opting for established alternatives enhances both the grammatical correctness and overall effectiveness of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the purpose is understanding

This alternative uses a gerund phrase to express the purpose, creating a more direct and concise statement.

the intention is to comprehend

Replaces "understand" with "comprehend", which carries a slightly more formal tone, and clarifies the intention.

the goal is comprehension

This version focuses on the desired outcome (comprehension) as the central goal.

aiming to understand

Uses a present participle phrase to describe the action of trying to understand something.

with the purpose of understanding

Emphasizes the intention using a prepositional phrase.

in order to understand

A more common and grammatically sound phrase to express purpose.

so as to understand

A more formal alternative to "in order to understand", still expressing purpose.

understanding is the objective

Shifts the focus to understanding as the primary objective.

the point is to grasp

Uses "grasp" as a synonym for understand, implying a more immediate comprehension.

the reason is for understanding

Expresses the underlying reason or motivation for seeking understanding.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it is to understand"?

You can use alternatives such as "the purpose is to understand", "the goal is to understand", or "in order to understand" depending on the context.

Is "it is to understand" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "it is to understand" is an awkward and uncommon phrasing. It's generally better to use clearer and more standard alternatives.

How can I use "in order to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "in order to understand" to introduce the purpose of an action, as in: "We need more data in order to understand the trend accurately."

What's the difference between "it is to understand" and "understanding"?

"It is to understand" is a less common phrase intended to express a purpose or goal. A simpler phrase like "understanding" focuses directly on the concept of comprehension, without introducing an awkward syntax.