sense of understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"sense of understanding" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when trying to express the concept of someone being able to comprehend something, usually a concept or difficult idea. Example: She had a great sense of understanding when it came to quantum physics.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Within the community of bereaved parents, there was a profound sense of understanding.

The Washington Post

In this snow the dark-brown bird was exposed, and I had a vague sense of understanding the risk it took, the declaration it was making.

The New Yorker

"There's an emotional sense of understanding about what immigrants are going through because of our experience as immigrants," said Conor Lenihan, the minister of integration.

The New York Times

We want our children to be good, not in the "obedient" sense, but in the sense of understanding others with empathy and generosity.

The Washington Post

If a company recognizes their mistakes and is up front about them, most consumers are willing to show a more lenient sense of understanding.

Harvard Business Review

"Our knowledge of our own history is very limited geographically, let alone giving us any sense of understanding the atrocities that were committed under the imperial gaze".

Independent

"In a time when we are all in the midst of a blizzard of information, what's often missing is a sense of understanding what's important, what's not," Mr. Smith said yesterday.

The New York Times

Mr. Newman, who wrote the release, said the word "control" was used in the scientific sense of understanding the body's internal controls, not in the sense of trying to control sexual orientation.

The New York Times - Science

"That would be completely out of touch with the fiscal realities facing governments throughout the country," Governor Pataki said yesterday, "and I would hope that they would show some sense of understanding the real world".

The New York Times

They are thus "self-less," both philosophically, in the sense of understanding the absence of self or essence in all things and persons, and ethically, since they act for all beings without discrimination.

Britannica

Many books and essays about "smarter kids" or the "new science of learning" turn out to be mostly about techniques for memorizing facts more efficiently, not about meaningful learning — in the sense of understanding ideas from the inside out.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of understanding" when you want to convey an intuitive or empathetic grasp of a concept, situation, or another person's feelings. It's particularly effective in contexts where factual knowledge alone is insufficient.

Common error

While versatile, "sense of understanding" can sound less precise in highly formal or scientific writing. Consider using more specific terms like "comprehension", "insight", or "knowledge" depending on the context to maintain clarity and rigor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of understanding" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where it describes a state of comprehension or empathy. For example, "There was almost an immediate sense of understanding."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sense of understanding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys the idea of comprehension with an element of intuition or empathy. While versatile, it's important to consider context and opt for more precise language in highly formal writing. Its widespread use across news, science, and business indicates its broad applicability, while alternatives like "feeling of comprehension" or "awareness of meaning" can add nuance depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of comprehension

Focuses more on the emotional aspect of understanding.

awareness of meaning

Emphasizes the recognition and grasp of significance.

grasp of the subject

Implies a firm hold on the topic at hand.

insight into

Highlights a deeper, more profound level of understanding.

appreciation for

Suggests understanding combined with positive regard.

discernment of

Implies a sharp and perceptive understanding.

perception of meaning

Focuses on the way meaning is interpreted.

realization of

Highlights the moment of becoming aware and understanding.

knowledge of implications

Focuses on understanding the consequences or effects.

comprehension of significance

Emphasizes the understanding of importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "sense of understanding" to describe someone's grasp of a situation or concept. For example, "She had a remarkable "sense of understanding" of the complex issues at hand".

What can I say instead of "sense of understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "feeling of comprehension", "awareness of meaning", or "grasp of the subject" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "sense of understanding" or simply "understanding"?

Using "sense of understanding" can emphasize the intuitive or emotional aspect of comprehension, rather than purely intellectual. It adds nuance to the meaning.

How does "insight" differ from "sense of understanding"?

"Insight into" implies a deeper, more profound level of understanding, often involving the recognition of underlying causes or connections. "Sense of understanding" can be more general, referring to a basic comprehension or empathy.