Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
under understanding
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "under understanding" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers due to its ambiguity. Example: "The project is still under understanding, and we need more time to clarify the details."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(13)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
"It's a wee bit of a joke that you can stand under understanding," Creed says.
News & Media
Spinning high above a stepped base that doubles as a seating for park visitors, the luminous sign invites New Yorkers to literally stand under UNDERSTANDING, while beaming its highly-visible message.
News & Media
A better under understanding of lignin biosynthesis is important for manipulation lignin content or composition through genetic engineering.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
"His mother was under the understanding that Avonte would be under constant supervision".
News & Media
Under that understanding, North Korea also agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect several suspected nuclear waste sites and place any undeclared plutonium stockpiles under international safeguards.
News & Media
"Even when we questioned female firefighters, they told us they were under the understanding that this was an agency policy," Mr. Lyons said.
News & Media
Iran will argue that under that understanding, it has not broken its safeguards agreement, because it had not actually processed any uranium in the secret plant.
News & Media
He started several apprenticeships, finally completing one at GEC Traction, where he was lucky to be given a precision job under an understanding boss.
News & Media
We demand policies that function under the understanding that our changing patterns of life should be organic/ecologic or should never be.
News & Media
And under what understanding of laws can they ground a standard of inertial motion?
Science
Customer: i was under the understanding I was going to be billed monthly at 3.99 per month.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using the phrase "under understanding" as it is grammatically incorrect and can confuse readers. Opt for clearer alternatives like "with the understanding" or "based on the understanding" to convey the intended meaning.
Common error
A common mistake is to use "under understanding" in contexts where "with the understanding" or "based on the understanding" is appropriate. Remember that "under" typically requires a noun or a phrase describing a state or condition, not an action like understanding. Replacing it with correct alternatives ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "under understanding" functions incorrectly as a prepositional phrase due to improper grammatical structure. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not a standard expression in English, leading to ambiguity and potential confusion.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
40%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "under understanding" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. While Ludwig provides examples where it appears, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a standard English expression. Correct alternatives such as "with the understanding" or "based on the understanding" should be used to convey the intended meaning of a condition or agreement. Its infrequent and incorrect usage impacts its reliability across various registers, despite appearing in both news and scientific contexts. Therefore, clarity and grammatical accuracy should take precedence over using this phrase.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
with the understanding that
Specifies a condition or agreement as part of the comprehension.
based on the understanding
Indicates that something is predicated on a particular comprehension.
on the premise that
Highlights the foundational assumption or belief.
given the assumption
Emphasizes acceptance of a particular assumption.
subject to the condition
Highlights the dependency on a specific requirement or limitation.
assuming that
Focuses on the act of making an assumption.
under the impression
Implies a belief that may or may not be accurate.
in the belief that
Stresses the conviction behind an action or decision.
with the expectation
Emphasizes anticipation or hope.
pursuant to the agreement
Highlights compliance with a formal or informal agreement.
FAQs
How can I correctly use the word "understanding" with a preposition?
Use "with the understanding that", "based on the understanding that", or "under the general understanding that". Avoid the incorrect phrase "under understanding".
What are some alternatives to the phrase "under understanding"?
Consider using phrases like "with the understanding", "based on the premise", or "assuming that" depending on the context. For example, you could say "We proceeded "with the understanding" that the terms were subject to change".
Is "under understanding" grammatically correct?
No, "under understanding" is not grammatically correct. The correct usage typically involves phrases like "with the understanding" or "based on the understanding".
What is the difference between "with the understanding" and "under understanding"?
"With the understanding" indicates a mutual agreement or condition. The phrase "under understanding" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Instead, use ""with the understanding"" to denote a shared agreement.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested