through understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "through understanding" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to denote a gradual progression or accumulation of knowledge, typically over a period of time. For example, "My English skills have improved through understanding the structure and grammar of the language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The fact that we understand concepts through understanding what they aren't ultimately illustrates the unintended harm of ill-informed inclusivity.

Huffington Post

Through understanding characters in a novel, we understand our friends, our colleagues, and even ourselves more deeply.

Huffington Post

"Automation through understanding".

The New York Times

Brands shouldn't be focusing on creating distance through aspiration, but on creating intimacy through understanding.

The Guardian

Van Dijck casts this as a restimulation of public values, through understanding, struggle and negotiation.

The Guardian - Tech

Mike, however, can connect — through empathy, through blunt realism, through confrontation, through understanding.

The New York Times - Books

She said that knowing how a material will drape comes about through understanding how its fabric properties are put together.

The Guardian

The only way to make sense of Israel's senseless war in Gaza is through understanding the historical context.

The Guardian

Davies concludes that only through "understanding the strains and pains that work, hierarchy, financial pressures and inequality place upon human well-being" can we challenge them.

Independent

Through understanding all of that, you start to resolve the underlying problems that you're acting out, in a healthier, more productive way".

The New York Times - Books

In our view, significant progress in the field can only be achieved through understanding.

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "through understanding" to emphasize that progress or a solution is achieved as a direct result of comprehending a concept or situation. For example, "Progress was made through understanding the underlying causes of the problem."

Common error

Avoid using "through understanding" when simply describing a sequence of events. "We learned the process through trial and error" is better phrased as "We learned the process by trial and error" if understanding wasn't the direct mechanism of learning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "through understanding" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. It indicates the means or process by which something is achieved or comes about, emphasizing that comprehension is the key element. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "through understanding" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase that highlights the crucial role of comprehension in achieving a desired outcome. With a presence across varied sources like news, science, and general knowledge platforms, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's a common and effective way to convey the idea that progress or resolution stems directly from gaining insight. While its register is mostly neutral, it also lends itself well to formal contexts. Avoid using it when simple sequencing is involved, to avoid the impression of an awkward structure. This analysis equips you with insights into its proper usage, alternatives, and common pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

via comprehension

Focuses on the process of grasping the meaning of something.

by means of insight

Highlights the role of intuitive understanding in achieving a goal.

by virtue of knowledge

Emphasizes the power of possessing information.

utilizing awareness

Highlights the use of being conscious about something.

leveraging comprehension

Emphasizes effectively using understanding for advantage.

with the aid of perception

Stresses the role of recognizing or interpreting sensory information.

by dint of apprehension

Focuses on grasping something mentally.

owing to cognition

Refers to mental processes of knowing, including awareness and judgment.

thanks to informedness

Highlights the state of being well-informed and its benefits.

based on intellect

Emphasizes the importance of using mental capacity and reasoning.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "through understanding" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "via comprehension", "by means of insight", or "by virtue of knowledge". These options, like "by means of insight", often add a layer of sophistication to your writing.

Is it always necessary to use a verb after "through understanding"?

Yes, "through understanding" typically requires a verb or verbal phrase to complete the sentence's meaning. For instance, "Healing comes through understanding" shows a complete thought, whereas "through understanding" alone leaves the reader expecting more information. Consider rewriting the sentence if there are no verbal phrases.

What's the difference between saying "understanding" and "through understanding"?

While "understanding" refers to the state of comprehending something, "through understanding" suggests that something is achieved or facilitated because of that comprehension. The latter emphasizes the process and the result of understanding.

Can "through understanding" be used in contexts other than intellectual comprehension?

Yes, while often related to intellectual understanding, it can also apply to emotional or empathetic comprehension. For example, "Building stronger relationships through understanding each other's perspectives" shows its application in emotional contexts.