to develop an understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to develop an understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of gaining knowledge or insight about a particular subject or concept. Example: "The course is designed to help students to develop an understanding of complex mathematical theories."

✓ 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

When using "to develop an understanding of", ensure the subject clearly indicates who or what is doing the developing. For example, "Students need to develop an understanding of the scientific method."

Common error

Don't use "to develop an understanding of" without a clear object or context. For example, instead of saying "We need to develop an understanding", specify "We need to develop an understanding of the market trends."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to develop an understanding of" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intent. It often introduces a goal or objective related to acquiring knowledge or comprehension, consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to develop an understanding of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies the process of gaining knowledge or insight. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile across diverse contexts, especially within scientific and news domains. When writing, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying the subject doing the developing and the object of understanding. Be aware of similar constructions such as "to gain insight into" or "to acquire knowledge of", which offer nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, fitting well within academic, professional, and journalistic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to cultivate an understanding of

Emphasizes a gradual and nurtured development of understanding.

to foster an understanding of

Highlights the act of promoting and encouraging the growth of understanding.

to build an appreciation for

Shifts the focus to developing a positive regard and comprehension.

to acquire insight into

Focuses on gaining a deeper, more intuitive understanding.

to gain knowledge of

Highlights the acquisition of factual information.

to comprehend the nuances of

Emphasizes understanding subtle differences and complexities.

to grasp the significance of

Highlights understanding the importance and relevance.

to become conversant with

Focuses on gaining familiarity and competence in a subject.

to familiarize oneself with

Emphasizes the process of becoming acquainted with something.

to learn the ropes of

An idiomatic expression meaning to learn the basics of how something works.

FAQs

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

Use "to develop an understanding of" to express the process of gaining knowledge or insight. For example, "The aim of the course is to help students "to develop an understanding of" quantum physics."

What are some alternatives to "to develop an understanding of"?

You can use alternatives like "to gain insight into", "to acquire knowledge of", or "to cultivate an understanding of depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "to develop an understanding of" and "to have an understanding of"?

"To develop an understanding of" implies a process of learning and growth, while "to have an understanding of" suggests a state of already possessing knowledge.

When is it more appropriate to use "to gain a better understanding of" over "to develop an understanding of"?

"To gain a better understanding of" suggests you already have some understanding and are improving it, while "to develop an understanding of" suggests you are starting from little or no understanding. Consider using "to gain a better understanding of" when building upon existing knowledge.