natural understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "natural understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an instinctive or inherent comprehension of a subject or concept. Example: "Her natural understanding of complex mathematical concepts made her an exceptional student in the advanced class."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Women have a natural understanding of what people want to see.

The Guardian

Alhberg has a natural understanding of the joys of the very young, and these poems celebrate the open-minded way in which they see the world.

The Guardian - Books

It is a wild, heady flight of imagination, and Acosta makes good use of his natural understanding of sequence and grace and suspense.

The Guardian - Books

It's a common cognitive error amongst a class of people who no longer have a natural understanding of what "interesting" means to the average web user.

The Guardian - Opinion

Food writer and broadcaster Simon Hopkinson describes Molyneux as having "a very, very special approach to cookery, which is one of exceptional good taste, a natural understanding of ingredients and how they are best prepared, cooked, consumed and enjoyed".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hume thinks that "systems and hypotheses" have also "perverted our natural understanding" of morality.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

They're master editors Whiletheyks up their sleeves, alwouldready to bestowaitmething good on those who are willing to wait.

Vice

Though photographers like Bruce Weber would influence his early work, by the mid-1980s Ritts would find his own voice, achieved largely through his innate understanding of natural light.

The Guardian - Arts

But philosophy, as embodied in the Donna Gentile, is not just the consummation of natural understanding.

SEP

Spoiled scions who get snippy when they don't get their way because they have no natural emotional understanding of the finality of loss.

The New York Times

One may believe that it offers us the only hope for a natural scientific understanding of consciousness.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "natural understanding of" to emphasize an inherent or instinctive comprehension, especially when describing skills or abilities that seem innate rather than learned.

Common error

While "natural understanding of" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or technical writing where more precise terms like "comprehensive knowledge" or "thorough grasp" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "natural understanding of" functions as a descriptor, highlighting an inherent or intuitive comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase typically modifies nouns, indicating a quality or characteristic of the subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Huffington Post

6%

British Journal of Cancer

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "natural understanding of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that emphasizes an inherent or intuitive comprehension. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for describing innate abilities or knowledge across various contexts, primarily in science and news media. While versatile, it's best to consider the level of formality needed and choose more precise alternatives in strictly academic or technical writing. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to convey that a subject possesses an innate skill or awareness, setting it apart from knowledge gained through learning alone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

innate grasp of

Replaces "natural understanding" with "innate grasp", emphasizing an inborn quality.

intuitive comprehension of

Substitutes "natural" with "intuitive" and "understanding" with "comprehension", highlighting instinctive knowledge.

inherent awareness of

Replaces "understanding" with "awareness", suggesting a built-in sense.

instinctive knowledge of

Focuses on knowledge gained through instinct rather than learning.

native insight into

Uses "native insight" to suggest an inherent ability to perceive something accurately.

natural aptitude for

Shifts the focus to a natural talent or skill in relation to something.

built-in appreciation for

Implies an inherent positive regard or understanding.

natural feel for

Indicates an intuitive sense or ability to handle something effectively.

natural sense of

Emphasizes an inborn ability to perceive or understand something.

natural inclination towards

Highlights a natural tendency or predisposition for understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "natural understanding of" to describe someone's inherent grasp or intuitive knowledge about a subject. For example: "She has a "natural understanding of" complex mathematical concepts."

What are some alternatives to "natural understanding of"?

Alternatives include "innate grasp of", "intuitive comprehension of", or "inherent awareness of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "natural understanding about" instead of "natural understanding of"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "natural understanding" is "of". "Natural understanding about" is grammatically incorrect.

When is it appropriate to use "natural understanding of" versus "learned understanding of"?

"Natural understanding of" implies an inherent or instinctive grasp, while "learned understanding of" suggests knowledge gained through study or experience. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the origin of the understanding you are describing.