powers of understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "powers of understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone's cognitive abilities or mental faculties in comprehending or grasping concepts. Example: "The philosopher emphasized the importance of nurturing the powers of understanding to achieve deeper insights into human nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Moyles was also deliberately playing stupid, suggesting that I was somehow claiming special powers of understanding rather than simply analysing what I'd heard broadcast.

The Guardian - Opinion

Personally, I worry less about the machines and more about the humans who will gain enhanced powers of understanding through the algorithms we develop.

The Guardian

He can't - these coincidental blows severely tax his powers of understanding and reconciliation - and so Erik redoubles his effort to do what psychiatrists do: explore the past.

The Guardian - Books

My default setting to phone-in shows is "off" – I can't bear the callers' mouth-frothing, how the opportunity to speak seems to turn off their powers of understanding – but this was good stuff.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She's gimlet-eyed about the myriad self-deceptions of adultery — the conviction that one's lover has the powers of understanding of Socrates, the sexual technique of Casanova, and the capacity for sympathy of Mother Teresa — and about the arrangement's narcissistic rewards.

The New Yorker

While innate, the powers of understanding have to be honed through practice/experience.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We wrote a research paper called "The Science of Fit" which describes the power of understanding job roles well and "hiring for fit," a powerful practice to improve business performance.

Forbes

These basic economic rules seem far beyond our power of understanding.

The New York Times

While it's still early days, we've seen the power of understanding the biological mechanism of disease in other settings.

The Guardian

Muhammad was not one to give up on the power of understanding, the boundless possibilities of love and the strength of our diversity.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not the job of anyone to second guess an audience's power of understanding, not even the writer and director.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing someone's intellectual abilities, consider using "powers of understanding" to emphasize their capacity for comprehension and insight. For example, "Her keen powers of understanding allowed her to quickly grasp the complexities of the argument."

Common error

Avoid using "powers of understanding" to describe simple memorization or recall. This phrase is better suited for instances involving deep comprehension, critical analysis, and insightful interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "powers of understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the inherent or developed capacity for comprehension and insight. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "powers of understanding" refers to one's capacity for comprehension and insight, functioning as a noun phrase that often serves as the subject or object within a sentence. While grammatically correct, as verified by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare. It appears most frequently in news and media, science and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, it is best used to highlight intellectual capability, emphasizing the ability to grasp complex ideas and analyze information critically. Alternatives such as "cognitive capabilities" or "intellectual faculties" may be considered depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cognitive capabilities

Replaces 'powers' with 'capabilities', focusing on the inherent mental capacity.

intellectual faculties

Substitutes both 'powers' and 'understanding' with more formal terms, denoting mental abilities.

mental acuity

Uses a different noun, 'acuity', to emphasize the sharpness and clarity of understanding.

comprehension skills

Focuses on the skills involved in understanding rather than the inherent power.

reasoning abilities

Highlights the ability to think logically and draw conclusions.

perceptive capacities

Emphasizes the ability to notice and understand things that are not obvious.

cognitive prowess

Replaces 'powers' with 'prowess' to suggest exceptional skill and ability.

intellectual capacity

A more general term for the ability to learn and understand.

understanding potential

Focuses on the possibility for future comprehension.

interpretive skills

Highlights the ability to explain or understand the meaning of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "powers of understanding" to describe someone's capacity to comprehend complex ideas. For instance, "The professor's exceptional powers of understanding allowed her to simplify intricate theories".

What are some alternatives to "powers of understanding"?

Alternatives include "cognitive capabilities", "intellectual faculties", or "mental acuity" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "powers of understanding" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing intellectual abilities or cognitive processes in an academic or professional setting.

What's the difference between "powers of understanding" and "level of understanding"?

"Powers of understanding" refers to someone's capacity or ability to comprehend, while "level of understanding" describes the depth or extent of their current comprehension of a specific topic.