sufficient understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"sufficient understanding" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has a level of understanding that is enough for something. For example, "Through our discussions, she had a sufficient understanding of the project to move forward with it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By the early 1930s the American chemist Irving Langmuir had developed sufficient understanding of thermionic emission to build basic devices, but little progress was made until 1956.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For Scowcroft, the second Gulf war is a reminder of the unwelcome consequences of radical intervention, especially when it is attempted without sufficient understanding of America's limitations or of the history of a region.

The New Yorker

At Mrs. Yates's trial, defense psychiatrists testified that she suffered from schizophrenia and depression at the time of the killings, in 2001, but a jury decided that she had sufficient understanding of her action and convicted her of murder.

The New York Times

If one might make use of Darwin's theory to think about Einstein's, we could speculate that evolution has granted us only sufficient understanding of space and time as is necessary to function and reproduce effectively.

The Guardian - Books

In order to realize the multifunctional abilities, sufficient understanding in the relationship between one property and another is needed.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Frequency analyses revealed that a majority of the participants seemed to perceive themselves as having sufficient understanding of evolution (79.4%).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

It also identified managers who "have not been able to demonstrate sufficient understanding of failures" and have been ineffective in "prioritising, challenging and making improvements".

BBC

The objective of the intervention was to provide GPs with sufficient understanding to manage, competently but not expertly, those headache disorders that are common in primary care.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Overall, these findings suggest respondents do not currently have sufficient understanding on possible technical and non-technical issues of lock-in that can occur in the cloud environment.

Journal of Cloud Computing

It said the company had entered into the swaps with "sufficient understanding" as to whether they met its business objectives.

Huffington Post

Unsatisfied with his response, the federal prosecutors asked the judge to make Chapo again prove his "sufficient understanding" of the legal proceedings.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sufficient understanding" to indicate that the level of comprehension is adequate for a specific purpose or task. For example, "The student demonstrated sufficient understanding of the material to pass the exam."

Common error

Avoid using "sufficient understanding" when a deeper, more nuanced comprehension is actually required. For instance, instead of saying "He has sufficient understanding of quantum physics", consider "He possesses a deep understanding of quantum physics" if his knowledge is truly extensive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sufficient understanding" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It describes the quality or extent of comprehension required or possessed. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is used across diverse contexts to indicate an adequate level of knowledge for a particular task or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sufficient understanding" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a level of comprehension is adequate for a particular purpose. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, including science, news, and business. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and avoid overstating or understating the actual level of understanding required. Alternatives like "adequate comprehension" or "ample knowledge" can provide subtle variations in meaning. Use "sufficient understanding" when you want to convey that the understanding is enough to achieve a specific goal or task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate comprehension

Emphasizes the adequacy of understanding rather than the sufficiency.

ample knowledge

Highlights the breadth and depth of knowledge.

reasonable grasp

Suggests a practical and functional level of understanding.

competent awareness

Focuses on being adequately informed and capable.

satisfactory insight

Indicates an acceptable level of perception and understanding.

sound appreciation

Emphasizes a solid and well-founded understanding.

capable perception

Focuses on the ability to perceive and understand effectively.

thorough acquaintance

Suggests a deep and comprehensive familiarity.

decent expertise

Highlights a respectable level of skill and knowledge.

fair mastery

Indicates a good level of control and understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "sufficient understanding" to describe someone's level of knowledge or comprehension is adequate for a particular situation. For example, "The team had "sufficient understanding" of the project requirements to begin development".

What are some alternatives to "sufficient understanding"?

Alternatives include "adequate comprehension", "ample knowledge", or "reasonable grasp", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "sufficient knowledge" or "sufficient understanding"?

Both "sufficient knowledge" and "sufficient understanding" are correct, but "sufficient understanding" emphasizes comprehension, while "sufficient knowledge" highlights awareness of facts and information. Choose the phrase that best reflects the context.

When is it best to use "sufficient" versus "thorough" understanding?

"Sufficient" implies a level of understanding that is adequate for a specific purpose, while "thorough" suggests a more complete and detailed comprehension. Use "sufficient" when only a basic grasp is needed, and "thorough" when a deep, comprehensive knowledge is required.