provides an understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"provides an understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the action of something helping someone to come to an understanding of a certain topic or situation. For example: "Watching the news report provided an understanding of what had happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It provides an understanding of the effectiveness of marketing campaigns," said Jay McCarthy, vice president for product strategy and chief privacy officer at WebSideStory.

The New York Times - Tech

But as a philosophy of the every day, the normal (as well as the ab-), it provides an understanding that is much missed.

The New York Times

The book's Amazon page, which includes a single rating, of five stars, states that the book "provides an understanding of today's legal, moral, and ethical issues of law and government".

The New Yorker

This chapter provides an understanding of networks and networked video.

Digital Video Surveillance and Security

This provides an understanding of the increase in demand for mobile applications and e-commerce websites.

Journal of Cloud Computing

This study provides an understanding of the spatiotemporal distribution of social vulnerability in Italy.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Nanotechnology provides an understanding on fundamental properties of objects at the atomic, molecular, and supramolecular levels.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

The exploration of input data provides an understanding of the data composition of raw data.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The study provides an understanding of the performance of alternative urban water systems.

Journal of Cleaner Production

This provides an understanding of the molecular principles that govern the recognition.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Following this, the chapter provides an understanding of the general elastoplastic behavior of a structure.

Plastic Analysis and Design of Steel Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex subjects, combine "provides an understanding" with specific details about what aspects of the subject are clarified.

Common error

Avoid using "provides an understanding" in situations where a simpler verb like "explains" or "shows" would be more direct and effective. Reserve the phrase for situations where the understanding is nuanced or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provides an understanding" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of offering or giving comprehension on a particular topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It emphasizes the role of something in facilitating knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provides an understanding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across varied contexts, as supported by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in scientific and academic writing, it serves to highlight how information clarifies a subject. While versatile, it's most effective when describing nuanced or complex topics, emphasizing comprehension. Remember to consider alternatives like "offers insight" or "sheds light on" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarifies the subject

Directly states the act of making something easier to understand.

offers insight

Focuses on the depth of comprehension provided.

gives a grasp of

Suggests providing a firm understanding or control of the subject.

sheds light on

Suggests clarification of a previously obscure topic.

fosters comprehension

Highlights the development of understanding over time.

elucidates the matter

Implies a detailed and thorough explanation.

promotes insight

Emphasizes encouraging a deeper level of understanding.

imparts knowledge

Emphasizes the transmission of information leading to understanding.

enhances awareness

Focuses on increasing perception or knowledge.

cultivates appreciation

Suggests developing a more refined understanding and valuing of the topic.

FAQs

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

You can use "provides an understanding" to describe how something helps to make a topic clearer. For example, "This chapter "provides an understanding" of secure wireless networks".

What are some alternatives to "provides an understanding"?

Consider using alternatives such as "offers insight", "fosters comprehension", or "sheds light on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "provides an understanding of" or "provides understanding of"?

The phrase "provides an understanding of" is generally preferred because it includes the article "an", making it grammatically sound and clearer. Omitting "an" can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "provides an understanding" and "gives an understanding"?

While both phrases are similar, "provides an understanding" often suggests a more formal or structured approach to imparting knowledge, whereas "gives an understanding" can sound slightly more informal or immediate.