shallow understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"shallow understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's knowledge of a particular subject, which might be incomplete or on a surface level. For example: "Although he had a passing knowledge of quantum physics, it was clear that his understanding was quite shallow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Kids have a shallow understanding of competition," Dr. Shields said.

The New York Times

Yet Americans themselves sometimes show a shallow understanding of their own system, she said.

The New York Times

These objections show a shallow understanding of the psychology of bigotry.

The New Yorker

Another problem is Erdoğan's shallow understanding of how democratic governments work.

The Guardian - Opinion

The study exhibited "a surprisingly shallow understanding of the French-speaking world," Olivier Decottignies, a career French diplomat now in residence at the Washington Institute, insisted.

The New Yorker

Dr Jean Conteh Senior lecturer in primary education, University of Leeds Simon Jenkins' shallow understanding of the intellectual and philosophical complexity of the study of history beggar's belief.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

One of the main worries for the Bush campaign was the "stature gap", the perception that the governor of Texas is too inexperienced in policy and too shallow in understanding to become president.

The Economist

The interesting thing is that we manage to hide from ourselves exactly how shallow our understanding is.

BBC

Second, this paper argues that the further arguments for cognitive distinctness proffered by Galle and Kroes founder on illogicality and/or too shallow an understanding of scientific process.

Design Studies

Shrunken coverage leads to a shallower public understanding, more chance of abuse by special interests and less chance for the country to resolve its most difficult problems.

The New York Times

The imam said Mr. Payen had a shallow and misguided understanding of Islam.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing someone's understanding, provide constructive feedback rather than simply stating they have a "shallow understanding". Offer specific examples of what they're missing and suggest resources for improvement.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the extent of someone's lack of understanding. Instead of saying someone has a "shallow understanding" when they are simply mistaken about one detail, describe the specific error or misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shallow understanding" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "shallow" modifies the noun "understanding". It describes a quality or characteristic of someone's comprehension. Ludwig AI's examples reveal its common use in assessing and often critiquing one's level of knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

35%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shallow understanding" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a lack of depth in comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, it's best to provide constructive feedback rather than simply stating someone's understanding is "shallow". Alternatives like "superficial comprehension" or "limited grasp" can also be used to express similar ideas. Remember to avoid exaggerating the degree of shallowness and focus on specific areas of misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superficial comprehension

Focuses on the lack of depth in understanding.

limited grasp

Emphasizes the restricted extent of understanding.

incomplete knowledge

Highlights the absence of complete information.

rudimentary awareness

Suggests a basic and undeveloped level of understanding.

surface-level acquaintance

Indicates a familiarity that doesn't penetrate deeply.

tenuous appreciation

Highlights a weak or fragile understanding.

basic familiarity

Emphasizes the elementary nature of the understanding.

cursory insight

Implies a brief and hasty understanding.

deficient perception

Highlights a lack of adequate understanding.

patchy knowledge

Suggests understanding is inconsistent and incomplete.

FAQs

How can I use "shallow understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "shallow understanding" to describe someone's limited comprehension of a subject, such as: "His "shallow understanding" of the topic was evident in his simplistic explanation."

What are some alternatives to "shallow understanding"?

Alternatives include "superficial understanding", "limited grasp", or "incomplete knowledge", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "shallow understanding" or "superficial understanding"?

"Shallow understanding" and "superficial understanding" are often interchangeable. "Shallow" emphasizes a lack of depth, while "superficial" highlights a focus on the surface, but their meanings overlap significantly.

How can I avoid having a "shallow understanding" of a subject?

To avoid a "shallow understanding", engage with the subject matter deeply by exploring multiple perspectives, questioning assumptions, and seeking out expert opinions. Don't rely solely on introductory materials.