poor understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

"poor understanding of" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's lack of comprehension or knowledge about a certain topic or concept. Example: John's poor understanding of economics led him to make bad financial decisions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both arguments show a poor understanding of what a party is.

The New Yorker

There is poor understanding of these issues and a lot of hostility and discrimination.

The Guardian

"I think it shows a rather poor understanding of the value of science".

The Guardian

Fourth, many adolescents have poor understanding of how contraceptive methods work and use them incorrectly.

The Guardian

Gigerenzer ascribed the extra deaths to people's poor understanding of danger.

The Guardian

These questions have relevance but they demonstrate poor understanding of sanctions as a foreign policy instrument.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nevertheless, there remains a poor understanding of the full characteristics of pore systems in shales.

Nature

This, in turn, originates from a poor understanding of the genetic composition of M. kansasii.

Nature

The first has to do with a poor understanding of statistics.

The New York Times - Magazine

First, they show a poor understanding of Italian politics in general, and M5S in particular.

The Guardian - Opinion

So many of our current conflicts are based on poor understanding of religion.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex topics, ensure that you clarify what specific aspects are subject to "poor understanding of". Provide context to demonstrate the impact of this lack of understanding.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about a general "poor understanding". Instead, pinpoint specific misconceptions, gaps in knowledge, or misinterpretations that contribute to the overall lack of understanding. For instance, instead of saying 'There is a poor understanding of climate change', specify 'There is a poor understanding of the specific feedback loops in climate models'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor understanding of" functions as a descriptive phrase, characterizing a deficiency in comprehension or knowledge. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It often prefaces a noun or noun phrase, indicating the subject area where the lack of understanding exists.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

37%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor understanding of" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a lack of knowledge or comprehension, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news, scientific and academic contexts, it serves to identify gaps in understanding and explain potential consequences. While versatile, ensure that you specify the areas subject to this "poor understanding of" for clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "limited grasp of", "inadequate knowledge of", and "deficient comprehension of" can be used to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited grasp of

Replaces "understanding" with "grasp", suggesting a weaker or incomplete comprehension.

inadequate knowledge of

Substitutes "understanding" with "knowledge" and "poor" with "inadequate", focusing on the lack of information.

deficient comprehension of

Replaces "understanding" with "comprehension" and "poor" with "deficient", indicating a lack of full understanding.

scant awareness of

Replaces "understanding" with "awareness" and "poor" with "scant", emphasizing a minimal level of consciousness or knowledge.

flawed perception of

Substitutes "understanding" with "perception" and "poor" with "flawed", highlighting inaccuracies in how something is viewed.

weak command of

Replaces "understanding" with "command" and "poor" with "weak", suggesting a lack of mastery or control over a subject.

tenuous handle on

Substitutes "understanding" with "handle", emphasizing a fragile or uncertain grasp of a topic.

superficial acquaintance with

Replaces "understanding" with "acquaintance", indicating a basic or surface-level familiarity.

lack of insight into

Emphasizes the absence of deep understanding or intuition about a subject.

misapprehension of

Highlights an incorrect or mistaken understanding of something.

FAQs

How can I improve my "poor understanding of" a subject?

Start by identifying specific areas where your knowledge is lacking. Seek out reliable resources, such as textbooks, academic articles, or expert opinions, and actively engage with the material. Consider explaining concepts to others to solidify your comprehension.

What are some alternatives to saying "poor understanding of"?

You can use alternatives like "limited grasp of", "inadequate knowledge of", or "deficient comprehension of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "poor understanding of" in formal writing?

Yes, "poor understanding of" is suitable for formal writing, including academic papers, reports, and professional correspondence. However, ensure that your analysis is clear, specific, and supported by evidence.

What causes a "poor understanding of" complex topics?

Factors contributing to a "poor understanding of" complex topics can include a lack of foundational knowledge, inadequate or misleading information, cognitive biases, or insufficient effort to engage with the material critically.