to get a better understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to get a better understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the need for more knowledge about a certain subject, for example, "I read the article, but I need to investigate further to get a better understanding of the issue".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The curators had hoped to get a better understanding of the subject matter.

The New York Times - Arts

To get a better understanding, witness the excellent work on the subject done by GM and Chrysler.

The Guardian - Business

Inglis said he would have to see the legislation to get a better understanding of how it would work.

The Guardian

To get a better understanding of why, I traveled to Richmond, Va., where Philip Morris USA has its headquarters.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I  wanted to get a better understanding of the earthquakes that aren't bothering anyone," Dr. Frohlich said in an interview.

The New York Times

abcnews.go.com Conscious hip hop Scientists study freestyle rap to get a better understanding of the neural science behind creativity.

Independent

"We have allocated some A$14m [£9.2m]… to get a better understanding of the great white sharks," he said.

Independent

Furthermore, theoretical investigations (DFT) were performed to get a better understanding of the electronic structures.

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry

As such, it helps to get a better understanding of the binding mode of an inhibitor.

Journal of Cheminformatics

The aim of this note is to get a better understanding of this property.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Cyclic voltammetric experiments were carried out to get a better understanding of the electrocatalytic properties of these anodes.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to get a better understanding" when you want to clearly state the purpose of an action aimed at improving comprehension. For example, "I reviewed the data to get a better understanding of the trends".

Common error

Avoid using "to get a better understanding" in contexts where simpler alternatives like "to understand" or "to learn" suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to get a better understanding" functions as an infinitive of purpose, outlining the reason or goal behind an action. It introduces a clause explaining why something is being done, as illustrated by Ludwig, which confirms that it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to get a better understanding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across multiple domains. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its primary function is to express the intention to improve one's comprehension. While versatile, it is most common in scientific and news-related contexts. When writing, aim to prevent overuse by choosing simpler alternatives, like "to understand" or "to learn", in basic situations. By considering the context and choosing suitable alternatives, you can use "to get a better understanding" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to gain deeper insights

Emphasizes acquiring more profound and nuanced knowledge.

to enhance comprehension

Focuses on improving the ability to grasp and understand something.

to broaden one's perspective

Highlights expanding one's viewpoint to achieve a more complete understanding.

to improve knowledge

Directly refers to the act of making your pool of knowledge better.

to develop a clearer picture

Suggests creating a more distinct and detailed mental representation.

to foster a greater appreciation

Implies cultivating a more profound sense of value and understanding.

to cultivate a deeper awareness

Refers to creating a richer awareness about a specific topic.

to build a solid foundation

Suggests creating a stable base of information.

to obtain comprehensive knowledge

Refers to acquiring overall and extensive knowledge about a topic.

to grasp the intricacies

Highlights the detailed and complex aspects.

FAQs

What does "to get a better understanding" mean?

The phrase "to get a better understanding" signifies an effort to improve one's knowledge or comprehension of a particular subject or topic. It implies a desire to move beyond a superficial grasp and achieve a more thorough and nuanced understanding.

How can I use "to get a better understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "to get a better understanding" to introduce an action or method aimed at improving comprehension. For example, "We conducted a survey to get a better understanding of customer needs" or "She attended the workshop to get a better understanding of the new software".

What are some alternatives to "to get a better understanding"?

Alternatives include "to gain deeper insights", "to enhance comprehension", or "to improve knowledge" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "better" in the phrase "to get a better understanding"?

While "better" emphasizes improvement, it's often implicit. "To get an understanding" is acceptable but might lack the specific intention of enhancing existing knowledge. Using the word "better" can reinforce the goal of improving comprehension.