on the understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the understanding" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express a condition or agreement that must be met or respected. For example, "We agreed to the deal on the understanding that delivery would be made within a week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The industry was one of men creating products on the understanding that makeup was for seduction," she says.

The Guardian - Film

"We arranged these passes with Ken's office on the understanding he was coming," said one.

Independent

America's closest intelligence relationships are predicated on the understanding that shared information will be carefully handled.

The New Yorker

Players gave those views on the understanding they would be strictly anonymous.

The Guardian - Sport

That was initially accepted by Fifa and Uefa, on the understanding it was a temporary measure.

The Guardian - Sport

So, on the understanding that he practised the piano every day, I hired him.

The Guardian - Film

He was persuaded to come to London on the understanding that he would be protected.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was only released on the understanding that Carol would look after him.

The Guardian

Not surprisingly, biochemical discoveries have had a great impact on the understanding and treatment of disease.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fighting stopped on the understanding that the sides would put their claims to a popular vote.

The Guardian

I was curious to get an update on the understanding of the disease.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on the understanding", ensure the condition or agreement is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, 'We approved the project on the understanding that all safety regulations would be followed strictly'.

Common error

Avoid using "on the understanding" without explicitly specifying what the understanding is. A vague statement can lead to misunderstandings. Instead of saying 'They agreed on the understanding', specify what was understood: 'They agreed on the understanding that the contract would be reviewed annually'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the understanding" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a condition, agreement, or assumption upon which an action or decision is based. It modifies the verb or clause it precedes, specifying the terms under which something is accepted or done. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the understanding" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce a condition, agreement, or assumption. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely recognized. It is particularly common in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, make sure to clearly state the specific condition or agreement to avoid any ambiguity. Alternative phrases include "provided that" and "subject to the condition that". As confirmed by Ludwig, "on the understanding" carries a neutral to formal tone, suitable for a variety of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the agreement that

More formal; emphasizes the existence of a formal or explicit agreement.

on the condition that

Directly states the reliance of something on a specific condition.

with the proviso that

Emphasizes a specific condition or limitation that must be met.

provided that

Similar to 'with the proviso that', but slightly less formal.

subject to the condition that

Highlights that an agreement is dependent on a certain condition being fulfilled.

with the tacit agreement that

Indicates an unspoken or implicit agreement.

given the assurance that

Focuses on a guarantee or promise that forms the basis of an agreement.

with the expectation that

Highlights the anticipated outcome that motivates an action.

assuming that

Indicates an action is based on a particular assumption or expectation.

believing that

Simplest and more direct way to indicate underlying belief for an action.

FAQs

How to use "on the understanding" in a sentence?

Use "on the understanding" to introduce a condition or agreement upon which an action is based. For example, "I accepted the job "on the understanding" that I would have flexible working hours."

What can I say instead of "on the understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "provided that", "subject to the condition that", or "under the agreement that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "with the understanding" instead of "on the understanding"?

While "with the understanding" might be used informally, "on the understanding" is more common and grammatically standard in formal writing. It clearly indicates a condition or agreement.

What's the difference between "on the understanding that" and "with the expectation that"?

"On the understanding that" implies a mutual agreement or condition. "With the expectation that" suggests a hope or anticipation, which might not be explicitly agreed upon. For example, 'I lent him the money "on the understanding that" he'd pay it back next week' implies an agreement. 'I lent him the money "with the expectation that" he would use it wisely' indicates a hope.