little understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"little understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a lack of comprehension, particularly when emphasizing a point about two or more people or groups not having a full grasp of the situation. For example, "The two sides had little understanding of each other's positions and as a result, negotiations broke down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oh ye of little understanding!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But one said, "You try to be a little understanding.

The New York Times

Let's try a little understanding if they don't reach back.

The New York Times

"There's little understanding for abstract art," she said.

The New York Times

But some are prepared to extend a little understanding.

The Economist

"We knew there was very little understanding of Sikhs in this country".

The New York Times

Lever has no imaginative sympathy for her subject and little understanding of what governs human behavior.

The New York Times - Books

Many Americans have little understanding of the difference between Persia and the Arab world.

The New York Times - Arts

As a result, UK banks have little understanding of black enterprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, there is too little understanding of the models of engagement.

The Guardian

At the time, O'Connor argued there was little understanding about paedophilia, and survived resignation calls.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little understanding" when you want to emphasize a general lack of comprehension, especially when comparing different groups or perspectives. For example: "The management and the employees had "little understanding" of each other's concerns."

Common error

Avoid using "little understanding" when you mean a complete misinterpretation or incorrect understanding of something. "Misunderstanding" implies a wrong interpretation, while "little understanding" simply means a lack of sufficient knowledge or comprehension. For example, say 'There was a "misunderstanding" about the instructions' instead of 'They had "little understanding" of the instructions' if the instructions were actively misinterpreted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a deficiency in comprehension or knowledge regarding a specific subject or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little understanding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a lack of comprehension or knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, with a slightly higher prevalence in news and media and scientific domains. When using this phrase, be mindful of its distinction from "misunderstanding", which implies an incorrect interpretation rather than a simple lack of knowledge. Consider using alternatives such as "limited comprehension" or "scant knowledge" to add nuance to your writing. Be sure to make your writing accessible and prevent mistakes. With over 50 real-world examples, Ludwig demonstrates the versatile and widespread application of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited comprehension

Emphasizes the restricted scope of understanding.

scant knowledge

Highlights the deficiency in factual awareness.

minimal awareness

Focuses on the almost non-existent level of recognition or consciousness.

superficial grasp

Indicates a shallow and incomplete understanding.

inadequate insight

Stresses the insufficient depth of perception.

poor awareness

Highlights the deficiency in factual awareness.

faulty perception

Focuses on the incorrect or distorted understanding.

rudimentary knowledge

Suggests a basic and undeveloped level of knowledge.

tenuous awareness

Highlights the fragile and uncertain nature of understanding.

deficient insight

Indicates an absence of deep comprehension or intuition.

FAQs

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

You can use "little understanding" to describe a lack of comprehension or knowledge about a particular subject. For instance, "The public has "little understanding" of the complexities of quantum physics." Another example is: "There is "little understanding" regarding benefit packages."

What are some alternatives to saying "little understanding"?

Some alternatives to "little understanding" include "limited comprehension", "scant knowledge", or "minimal awareness". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a little understanding" or "little understanding"?

"A little understanding" implies some degree of comprehension, while "little understanding" suggests a lack of sufficient comprehension. The choice depends on whether you want to indicate a small amount of knowledge or a significant lack thereof.

What's the difference between "little understanding" and "misunderstanding"?

"Little understanding" refers to a lack of knowledge or comprehension. "Misunderstanding" /s/misunderstanding on the other hand, indicates an incorrect or inaccurate understanding. "Little understanding" implies a gap in knowledge, while a "misunderstanding" implies a flawed interpretation.