it was understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was understanding" is not a complete sentence and is not correct usage in written English.
It is missing a subject and a verb, making it a fragment. A correct way to use "understanding" in a sentence could be: "I appreciated her understanding of the situation" or "Our agreement was based on mutual understanding."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was understanding how it would power things in the greenhouse".

The New York Times

"It was understanding how the body can be a musical instrument; how the slapping can create a sound and rhythm".

The Guardian - Arts

Talking to people like RD Laing, you became aware of the interconnected biological, physiological, political abhorrence of the world as it was, understanding that a permanent revolution was going to be undertaken.

The Guardian - Books

Instead, she says, it was understanding and recognised that she had joined the charity because it was a role she really wanted and was genuinely interested in, and was going to work hard at it after maternity leave.

The Guardian

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Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is understanding.

Independent

"It's understanding the collector community".

The New York Times

"It's understanding those candidates.

The Guardian

DT: It's understanding the truly human requirements.

The Guardian

Part of it is understanding the physical needs.

MIT Technology Review

No, it's understanding actors, almost whispering what to do".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it was understanding" in formal writing. Instead, reconstruct the sentence to include a clear subject and verb, such as "it was about understanding" or "it demonstrated understanding".

Common error

The phrase "it was understanding" is often used incorrectly as a sentence fragment. Ensure that your sentence includes a subject performing the action of understanding or rephrase to use 'understanding' as a noun, like "there was an understanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was understanding" functions as an incomplete predicate, lacking a clear subject and a properly conjugated verb. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase typically appears in contexts where a more complete expression is needed to convey a clear meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was understanding" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its incomplete structure. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it lacks a clear subject and verb, leading to sentence fragments. While its intended purpose often involves emphasizing comprehension, its usage is infrequent and primarily found in news and media contexts. To ensure grammatical correctness and clarity, it's advisable to rephrase the sentence, as in "it was about understanding" or "there was an understanding". The phrase's incorrectness leads to a low expert rating, despite the authoritative sources in which it appears.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was realizing

Focuses on the moment of becoming aware or comprehending something, shifting from a state of understanding to the act of achieving it.

it was comprehending

Emphasizes the mental process of grasping the meaning or significance of something.

it was grasping

Highlights the act of seizing or fully understanding an idea, often implying a sudden realization.

it was discerning

Implies careful and insightful perception or judgment, suggesting a deeper level of understanding.

it was perceiving

Focuses on the awareness and interpretation of sensory information or abstract concepts.

it was appreciating

Stresses the recognition and enjoyment of the qualities or value of something, adding an emotional dimension to understanding.

it was acknowledging

Highlights the acceptance or recognition of the truth or existence of something, often implying a shift in perspective.

it was an understanding

This makes 'understanding' a noun, focusing on the concept itself rather than the act.

it was about understanding

This alternative phrase emphasizes the central importance of understanding as the key element.

it involved understanding

This alternative emphasizes that understanding was a component of something else.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "it was understanding" in a sentence?

The phrase "it was understanding" is grammatically incomplete. Rephrase it to include a subject and verb, such as "the key was understanding" or "it was about understanding". Alternatively, you can use "there was an understanding".

What phrases are similar to "it was understanding"?

Similar phrases include "it was realizing", "it was comprehending", or "it was grasping", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it was understanding" or "it was about understanding"?

"It was about understanding" is grammatically correct and conveys that understanding was the central focus or purpose. "It was understanding" is incomplete and requires rephrasing to be grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "it was understanding" and "there was an understanding"?

"It was understanding" is an incomplete phrase. In contrast, "there was an understanding" indicates an agreement or mutual comprehension existed. For example, "There was an understanding between them" means they had a shared agreement.