less understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

"less understanding of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about a decrease in someone's understanding of something. For example, "My experience with the new software has led to less understanding of its features."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They may also have less understanding of client services, he said.

The New York Times

But we are left with far less understanding of GPS than of sextants.

The New York Times - Arts

Paul Kenny, the general secretary of the GMB union, was less understanding of any attempt to increase the retirement age.

The Guardian - Money

And there is even less understanding of why they later abandoned the awesome city they had built over centuries.

The New York Times - Travel

Buckley believes that in the future reporters will continue to be quarantined, leaving them with even less understanding of the politicians they cover.

The New Yorker

Mr. Skyler was less understanding of what he considered a falsehood spread by the P.B.A. president, Patrick Lynch, who is running for re-election.

The New York Times

All too many of these were merely shots in the dark; many were misplaced attempts to find information, with few leads and even less understanding of al-Qaida.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Trump is going to run his campaign like an episode of Scandal, only with less black people and less women in power and less understanding of politics.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Those who join extremist groups tend to have lower levels of religious or formal education and less understanding of the meaning of religious texts, Yahya said.

The Guardian

"With less interaction between the civilian and military cultures, we're going to have progressively less understanding of one another," Senator Robb said.

The New York Times

He had little liking for the Oriental mind, which he termed "slipshod," and even less understanding of it, despite his claims to the contrary.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternative phrases like "limited knowledge of" or "lack of awareness of" to add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "less understanding of" implies complete ignorance. It simply indicates a deficiency in comprehension, not necessarily a total absence of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less understanding of" functions as a modifier indicating a decreased level of comprehension or awareness regarding a specific topic or concept. It typically precedes the subject being discussed, providing context about their understanding. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing varied subjects, from client services to complex models.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less understanding of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a deficiency in comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. While it's important to use the phrase accurately to reflect a partial rather than complete lack of knowledge, alternative phrasing such as "limited knowledge of" or "incomplete grasp of" can add nuance and clarity. Ensure that context is clear to avoid ambiguity and improve communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller understanding of

Emphasizes a reduced degree of comprehension.

lesser understanding of

Similar to "less understanding of" but uses a slightly more formal term.

lower understanding of

Indicates a reduced level of comprehension on a hierarchical scale.

less knowledge of

Focuses on the absence of information or awareness.

less comprehension of

Highlights a deficiency in the ability to grasp something.

less appreciation of

Implies a reduced recognition or value assigned to something.

less interpretation of

Points to a diminished ability to explain or assign meaning.

diminished understanding of

Uses 'diminished' to suggest a gradual reduction in comprehension.

modest understanding of

Suggests a limited or humble level of comprehension.

imperfect grasp of

Indicates an incomplete or flawed comprehension of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "less understanding of" to indicate a reduced level of comprehension. For example, "Students with "less understanding of" the subject may require additional support."

What are some alternatives to "less understanding of"?

Alternatives include "limited knowledge of", "lack of awareness of", or "incomplete grasp of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "less understanding of" or "lack of understanding of"?

Both phrases are correct, but "lack of understanding of" might emphasize a more significant deficiency than "less understanding of", which suggests a partial understanding.

Can "less understanding of" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "less understanding of" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider using more precise alternatives like "limited comprehension of" for enhanced clarity in academic or professional contexts.