to establish understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to establish understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to express the idea of creating or deepening mutual understanding between two or more people. For example: "The goal of the meeting was to establish understanding between the two sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

These types of approaches have been used for decades by academics, practitioners, and regulatory agencies in both formal and informal risk assessment processes to establish understandings of causality, discuss chemical hazards, and set regulatory action levels for exposure or contamination.

BioMed Research International

While many women represented used performance art to activate change, others simply existed refusing to conform to the established understandings of gender.

Huffington Post

Moreover, multiple experiences, in which ideas and phenomena may be coordinated into richer and more complex understanding, are needed to establish conceptual understanding.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The more Americanized the wife, the more difficult it is for a traditional Russian to establish mutual understanding with her.

The New York Times

Prez tries to establish an understanding with Dukie, who responds blankly ("Did I do something wrong?") to talk of moving up a grade and away from the friend he has found.

The Guardian

There have been calls across nations to establish better understanding of how nurse practitioners enact their roles in healthcare teams.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

We also see seasonal variation in farmer perceptions and recommend multiple-visit elicitation accordingly to establish robust understanding.

Ecological Economics

For this, we need to establish an understanding and knowledge about the actual amount and time of emission releases and sequestrations.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Thus, the first step in serious game design is to establish an understanding of the particular learning domain, usually through consultation with domain experts.

Entertainment Computing

The landscape service indicators are described and spatially analysed in order to establish an understanding of landscape level service structures, patterns and relationships.

Ecological Indicators

However, she has told the BBC it is unlikely they would pair up again for the Panorama Worlds as they may not have enough time to establish the understanding needed to be both safe and competitive.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to establish understanding", ensure that the context clearly indicates what needs to be understood and who needs to understand it. Providing specific details will enhance clarity and effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "to establish understanding" without specifying the subject matter or the parties involved. For example, instead of saying "We need to establish understanding", specify "We need to establish understanding of the new policy among employees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to establish understanding" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing a purpose. It typically introduces the reason or objective behind an action, indicating the intention to create or ensure comprehension. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to establish understanding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the purpose of creating or deepening comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and versatile, appearing predominantly in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While it is generally neutral in register, its usage should be tailored to the specific context, ensuring clarity and specifying the subject matter and parties involved. Alternatives such as ""to foster comprehension"" or ""to develop mutual understanding"" can be used to provide nuanced meanings. By following best practices and avoiding overgeneralizations, writers can effectively leverage "to establish understanding" to achieve their communication goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to develop mutual understanding

This emphasizes that the understanding is shared between parties.

to facilitate comprehension

This emphasizes making understanding easier or more accessible.

to foster comprehension

This alternative focuses on nurturing and developing understanding over time.

to achieve clarity

This alternative highlights the successful attainment of clear understanding.

to build rapport

This alternative emphasizes creating a harmonious relationship, which often leads to understanding.

to promote clarity

This highlights the act of making things clear to facilitate understanding.

to create common ground

This focuses on finding shared beliefs or understanding.

to cultivate awareness

This suggests a gradual development of understanding through increased knowledge.

to reach agreement

This highlights the endpoint of understanding, where parties agree.

to encourage consensus

This focuses on reaching a general agreement, which implies understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "to establish understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "to establish understanding" to express the goal of creating or deepening comprehension. For instance, "The purpose of the meeting was "to establish understanding" between the departments".

What are some alternatives to "to establish understanding"?

Alternatives include "to foster comprehension", "to develop mutual understanding", or "to facilitate comprehension", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "establish understanding" or "establish a understanding"?

The correct phrase is "establish understanding". The article 'a' is not needed because "understanding" is being used in a general sense.

What is the difference between "to establish understanding" and "to reach an agreement"?

"To establish understanding" focuses on creating comprehension, while "to reach an agreement" emphasizes reaching a consensus or settlement. Understanding often precedes agreement.