to develop an understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to develop an understanding" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as: "We discussed the issue in-depth in order to develop an understanding of how best to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We need to develop an understanding of what we have begun to call culturenomics.

The Guardian - Books

miles with intent to develop an understanding of it sufficient for a doctoral thesis.

The New Yorker

He even seemed to develop an understanding of absence, something akin to the concept of zero.

The New Yorker

The archbishop of Canterbury asked worshippers to develop an understanding of "mutual obligation" following a turbulent 2011.

The Guardian

She is working with academics and professional experts to develop an understanding of how impact can be evaluated and defined.

The Guardian

The section called "The Artist's Studio" shows anatomical sketches and plaster casts used to develop an understanding of the human body.

The New York Times - Arts

"We also had to develop an understanding of trading and tax law to legally and efficiently manage our income generating activities".

The Guardian

Actors have to develop an understanding of and sympathy for a character's behavior, but Mr. Innvar and Ms. Yionoulis may have made Phil too likable.

The New York Times

They will be expected to develop an understanding of the basic grammar of the language, and be acquainted with songs and poetry.

The Guardian

In this paper, we aim to develop an understanding of nonlinear q-integrodifference equations.

Boundary Value Problems

This is used to develop an understanding of classical hypothesis testing.

Human Brain Function

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to develop an understanding" when you want to emphasize the process of gaining knowledge or insight over time. For example, "We need to engage in thorough research to develop an understanding of the market trends."

Common error

While versatile, "to develop an understanding" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to get a sense of" or "to figure out" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to develop an understanding" functions as an infinitive phrase, often serving as an adverbial of purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Examples show it introducing the reason or aim behind an action or study.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to develop an understanding" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that expresses the aim of gaining knowledge or insight. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's considered a correct and versatile expression. The phrase's usage spans various contexts, including science, news and media, and formal business settings. While generally neutral to formal, its formality can be adjusted depending on the specific situation. Related phrases include "to cultivate comprehension", "to foster insight", and "to acquire knowledge", each offering slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to cultivate comprehension

Replaces "develop an understanding" with a more formal tone, emphasizing gradual growth of understanding.

to foster insight

Focuses on creating a deeper, more intuitive understanding rather than a general one.

to acquire knowledge

Shifts the focus to obtaining factual information as the basis for understanding.

to gain proficiency

Emphasizes achieving competence or expertise through understanding.

to build awareness

Highlights the process of becoming conscious or informed about something.

to construct meaning

Focuses on the active process of creating a personal interpretation or understanding.

to form a perception

Highlights the development of a subjective view or impression.

to achieve clarity

Emphasizes the result of understanding – a state of being clear and unambiguous.

to assimilate information

Focuses on integrating new information into existing knowledge.

to grasp the concept

Highlights the moment of understanding a particular idea or principle.

FAQs

How can I use "to develop an understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "to develop an understanding" to describe the process of gaining knowledge or insight. For example, "The aim of the project is "to develop an understanding" of the local ecosystem."

What phrases are similar to "to develop an understanding"?

Similar phrases include "to cultivate comprehension", "to foster insight", and "to acquire knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "to develop an understanding" formal or informal?

"To develop an understanding" is generally considered neutral to formal. You can use it in academic writing, business communication, and news reports. More informal alternatives exist for casual conversations.

What's the difference between "to develop an understanding" and "to have an understanding"?

"To develop an understanding" focuses on the process of gaining knowledge, while "to have an understanding" describes a state of already possessing that knowledge. For example, "After months of research, she began "to develop an understanding" of the subject" versus "She seems "to have an understanding" of these concepts already".