to understand in order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to understand in order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the purpose of understanding something as a prerequisite for achieving a goal or completing a task. Example: "I need to study the material thoroughly to understand in order to pass the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

A central message Lockshin wants to convey is that everyone can experience the joy of science since "it ain't rocket science," i.e., it is understandable, and everyone has to understand in order to achieve the "informed citizenry" which is necessary to live in our society.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Try to separate the things you needed to understand in order to make the experiment work from the things your audience needs to understand in order to follow your conclusions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Dementia is something that all staff – clinical and non-clinical – need to understand in order to deliver more effective and appropriate care.

The Guardian

Indeed it is a source of noise that the people making the gas measurements need to understand in order to get their results.

The Economist

What these patterns show, said Huq, is that economic pushes and pulls are important to understand in order to see immigration's gendered consequences.

Columbia University

Most of the medical researchers who study Alzheimer's agree on what they have to understand in order to create effective drugs: They must find out how the aberrant proteins associated with the disease develop in the brain.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

What do you need to know or understand in order to solidify your views one way or the other?

The New York Times

5. Needs are designed to evolve, which a leader must understand in order to foresee the future of the group.

Huffington Post

These poor women in academia have to talk this silly language that nobody can understand in order to be accepted .

Wikipedia

That is the price for taking the risk they didn't understand in order to get higher returns.

HuffPost

Traditionally, such truths have been held to be 'self-evident'; allegedly, they need only to be understood in order to be known.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to understand in order", ensure the sentence clearly articulates the direct consequence or goal that understanding facilitates. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what the understanding leads to.

Common error

Avoid using "to understand in order" without clearly stating the outcome or action that understanding enables. For example, instead of saying "We need to understand in order", specify "We need "to understand" the market trends "in order" to develop a successful product strategy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to understand in order" functions as a purpose connector, linking the act of understanding with a subsequent action or goal. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates that comprehension is a prerequisite for achieving a desired outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to understand in order" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to connect comprehension with a subsequent goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase clearly conveys the purpose of understanding something as a necessary step towards achieving a specific outcome. It's frequently seen in scientific, news, and academic writing. Remember to be clear about the consequences or goals associated with understanding when using this phrase. Alternatives include "so as to understand" and "for the purpose of understanding".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to comprehend

Substitutes "understand" with "comprehend", maintaining the purpose.

so as to understand

A more concise way of expressing the purpose of understanding.

understanding as a means to

Highlights understanding as the method to achieve a goal

for the purpose of understanding

Emphasizes the intention behind the act of understanding.

with the aim of understanding

Highlights the goal-oriented nature of seeking understanding.

with a view to understanding

A slightly more formal way of expressing the intention to understand.

to grasp with the intent of

Replaces "understand" with "grasp" and rephrases "in order".

for understanding, thereby

Uses "understanding" as a noun and "thereby" to indicate consequence.

to get a handle on, so that

Uses the informal idiom "get a handle on" and restructures the phrase.

to decipher for the reason of

Emphasizes the effort involved in understanding, using "decipher".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to understand in order" for better clarity?

Consider using phrases like "so as to understand", "in order to comprehend", or "for the purpose of understanding" to enhance clarity and flow in your writing.

What is the difference between "to understand in order" and "in order to understand"?

"To understand in order" emphasizes the purpose of understanding something, whereas "in order to understand" highlights the process of gaining understanding. The former focuses on the outcome, the latter on the action itself.

Is "to understand in order" formal or informal?

The phrase "to understand in order" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.

Can I use "to understand in order" in academic writing?

Yes, "to understand in order" is perfectly acceptable in academic writing. It's a clear and concise way to express the purpose or reason for seeking understanding. However, ensure it fits the tone and style of your specific field or discipline.