make an understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make an understanding" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to communicate that two people or parties have agreed upon something. For example: "The two companies made an understanding that they would work together on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The aim of this paper is to make an understanding of the dynamics of the hydraulic PTO unit and how these affect the performance of the two-raft-type WEC.

Applied Ocean Research

The Nuremberg Code can be understood to answer: the point of the disclosure process is that a research participant should at least "have sufficient knowledge and comprehension of the elements of the subject matter involved as to enable him to make an understanding and enlightened decision".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Perhaps it's time orchestras start to demonstrate a commitment to new music by making an understanding of it a prerequisite for membership.

The New York Times - Arts

Arthur Sulzberger Jr., publisher of The New York Times, had two breakfasts with the mayor, and although no specific commitments were made, an understanding was reached.

The New York Times

The void ordering is often accompanied by a saturation of the void swelling with increasing irradiation dose, which makes an understanding of the underlying mechanisms to be both of scientific significance and of practical importance for nuclear engineering.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

The factors contributing to optimal producer cell lines are often complex, and not simply conferred by one gene or gene product, which makes an understanding of system-wide properties for better engineering of optimized cell lines essential.

Trends in Biotechnology

This uncertainty makes an understanding of public risk perceptions important to policy makers.

BMC Public Health

Appendicularia retain larval characters throughout their lifespan, which made an understanding of their phylogeny crucial for understanding the evolution of body plans and developmental modes in Tunicata [ 27].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The delicate balance between water loss and uptake in amphibians makes an understanding of venous return from this region even more significant.

BMC Physiology

The introduction of prospective payment to reimburse hospitals makes an understanding of the key drivers of length of stay (LOS) imperative.

BMC Health Services Research

Cork hydrophobicity and mechanical resistance are attributed to the suberin macromolecule that is embedded within cork cell walls, making an understanding of this composite material potentially useful for the design of analogous engineered polymeric materials.

Biomacromolecules

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an understanding", ensure that the context clearly indicates mutual agreement or comprehension, rather than simply individual understanding. For clarity, specify the parties involved in the understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "make an understanding" in highly formal documents like legal contracts. Opt for more precise terms such as "reach an agreement" or "establish a memorandum of understanding" to convey a sense of greater precision and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an understanding" functions as a verb phrase where "make" acts as a transitive verb. The noun "understanding" serves as the direct object, indicating something being brought into existence, similar to how Ludwig AI explains the phrase in its analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make an understanding" is grammatically correct but relatively rare in usage, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's often used to describe the process of achieving mutual agreement or developing comprehension. While acceptable in various contexts, including science and news media, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "reach a consensus" or "establish a memorandum of understanding" in official or legal settings. The phrase carries a neutral to slightly informal tone, suggesting that careful consideration of the context is necessary for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach a consensus

Focuses on the outcome of a discussion: a general agreement.

come to an agreement

Highlights the process of arriving at a mutual decision.

form an agreement

Similar to reaching a consensus, but can imply more formality.

develop a comprehension

Emphasizes the growth of one's personal insight.

achieve comprehension

Focuses on the successful attainment of thorough knowledge.

foster an understanding

Stresses the act of cultivating or promoting mutual insight.

establish common ground

Stresses the finding of shared interests or beliefs.

build a rapport

Refers to establishing a harmonious relationship based on mutual understanding.

forge a consensus

Emphasizes the effort required to create an agreement.

cultivate a mutual understanding

Highlights the effort of developing a shared perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "make an understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "make an understanding" to describe the process of reaching a mutual agreement or achieving comprehension. For example, "The parties involved were able to "make an understanding" after several hours of negotiations".

What are some alternatives to "make an understanding"?

Alternatives to "make an understanding" include "reach a consensus", "come to an agreement", or "develop a comprehension" depending on the specific context.

Is "make an understanding" formal or informal?

"Make an understanding" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal register. For very formal situations, consider using phrases like "establish a memorandum of understanding".

Which is more appropriate: "make an understanding" or "reach an understanding"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "reach an understanding" often implies a more conclusive and mutually agreed-upon outcome than "make an understanding", which can sometimes suggest a preliminary or less formal agreement.