substantive understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantive understanding" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase to refer to a comprehensive, deep understanding of a concept. For example, "I needed to gain a substantive understanding of how the stock market works before I invested any money."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But O'Leary isn't utterly incompetent with the meaning of these terms: he implicitly understands both names as rigid designators, and he has some substantive understanding of the object each name picks out.

SEP

"There should be a substantive understanding of the Indian scenario.

The New York Times

But he can't make wise judgments unless he comes to substantive understanding of policy issues on his own.

The New York Times

But disciplines that have substantive understanding of particular issues have not been buttressed by the quantitative training needed to look at outcomes in a structured way.

The Guardian

"But beyond that, our substantive understanding of the role of particulate pollution, of the extent of the problems caused by acid rain, mercury and greenhouse gases, has all grown in the last 19 months".

The New York Times

Under this substantive understanding, rules serve a higher purpose than the mere orderly regulation of human conduct; laws must also enhance liberty, security and equality and strive to attain a perfect balance between law and justice.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

By employing a threshold notion of harm which may be understood as a central element of a sufficientarian conception of intergenerational justice, but could also be an element of other substantive understandings of intergenerational justice (Section 4), we can justify conclusions about both types of present generations' duties.

SEP

That's the substantive reason.

The New York Times

Effective teaching about the Holocaust must provide young people with substantive knowledge and understanding, challenge popular misconceptions and confront difficult and profound questions.

The Guardian

Dynamic network theory may provide a basis for substantive advances in understanding functional resilience in the human brain.

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

Despite substantive gains in understanding how these cells support spatial cognition, we know surprisingly little about how the brain uses such information to guide navigation.

Current Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantive understanding" when you want to emphasize a deep, comprehensive, and significant level of understanding, especially in academic or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "substantive understanding" in casual or informal writing. Simpler terms like "good understanding" or "clear grasp" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantive understanding" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantive" modifies the noun "understanding". It describes the nature or quality of the understanding as being significant, thorough, and comprehensive. Ludwig examples showcase its use in academic and professional writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantive understanding" denotes a deep, comprehensive grasp of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts. Its usage is relatively uncommon but potent, with frequent occurrences in science and news media. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize a significant and thorough comprehension. Alternatives such as "thorough comprehension" or "profound insight" can be used to vary your expression. Avoid using it in casual or informal contexts, where simpler language is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thorough comprehension

Emphasizes completeness and depth of understanding.

profound insight

Highlights the depth of understanding and ability to see beyond the surface.

comprehensive grasp

Focuses on the extent and completeness of understanding.

in-depth knowledge

Stresses the detailed and thorough nature of the knowledge.

deep appreciation

Implies not just understanding, but also valuing and recognizing the importance of something.

complete awareness

Highlights a full and total understanding of a situation or concept.

detailed insight

Focuses on the granular level of understanding and perception.

significant awareness

Emphasizes that the understanding is important and impactful.

substantial knowledge

Highlights the large amount of information and understanding.

fundamental insight

Focuses on understanding the core principles and concepts.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantive understanding" to describe a deep and comprehensive grasp of a subject. For example, "The research aims to provide a substantive understanding of the causes of climate change."

What are some alternatives to "substantive understanding"?

Alternatives include "thorough comprehension", "profound insight", or "comprehensive grasp", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "substantive understanding" or "good understanding"?

"Substantive understanding" implies a deeper and more comprehensive level of understanding than "good understanding", making it more suitable for formal and academic contexts.

What's the difference between "substantive understanding" and "technical understanding"?

"Substantive understanding" refers to a deep and comprehensive grasp of a subject's core concepts, while "technical understanding" focuses on the practical and mechanical aspects of a subject.