underlying understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"underlying understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a shared, implied understanding of an idea or concept that exists between two or more people, even without it being explicitly stated. For example, "The team had an underlying understanding that their project had to be done quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The fact of reliance argues in favour of enforcement because it indicates that an underlying understanding existed between the parties and because the relying party may suffer as a consequence of its change of position.

Britannica

The fact of reliance argues in favour of enforcement because it indicates that an underlying understanding existed between the parties and because the relying party may suffer as a consequence of his change of position.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For that matter, when Brady teaches a friend to ride competitively (another scene with an intriguing documentary center), Zhao doesn't bother to hear from Brady about the skills that he's imparting, about his underlying understanding of what's involved in riding a bucking bronco.

The New Yorker

"That doesn't give you an underlying understanding of it's being a cooking video.

TechCrunch

"Without this underlying understanding about the real violence that women experience and that it's not just about the worst things that could happen, but a whole continuum of things then the class won't provide what women need," Thompson added.

Vice

Generally, if applied with underlying understanding mentioned above, cancer stem cell markers can bring valuable information to patients' prognosis and can help to modify diagnostic and treatment strategy.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

These point to peoples' underlying understandings of the potential role that insurance might play in either reducing or averting health care costs.

Global Health Action

This is the organization behind the so-called Climategate controversy, in which a batch of e-mails were published, showing, Issa claimed, that there had been fraud involving "the base numbers" underlying our understanding of climate change.

The New Yorker

Predicted genes with homology to PsAvr3c are present in a wide range of Phytophthora species, so it is possible that underlying full understanding of PsAvr3c triggered immunity may help in developing successful strategies to manage other Phytophthora diseases.

Nature

The review will begin by introducing a model that explains the neural mechanisms underlying empathic understanding.

BioMed Research International

Increasingly, evidence suggests that there may be different cognitive mechanisms underlying the understanding others' false beliefs versus applying one's knowledge of others' false beliefs.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underlying understanding" to denote a shared, unspoken agreement or knowledge about a topic or situation. It suggests a deeper level of comprehension beyond what is explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "underlying understanding" when referring to a simple or surface-level awareness. This phrase implies a more profound and less obvious level of comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying understanding" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "underlying" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "understanding". This indicates a deeper, less obvious level of comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underlying understanding" signifies a shared, often implicit comprehension that goes beyond the surface level. It's grammatically correct and used across diverse fields like science, media, and academia, as verified by Ludwig AI. It suggests a tacit awareness of a subject, rather than an explicit articulation. To enhance clarity, it's best employed when denoting a profound, less obvious knowledge, differentiating it from superficial awareness or a basic grasp. While alternatives like "implicit comprehension" or "tacit awareness" exist, "underlying understanding" effectively communicates a deeper, less spoken comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implicit comprehension

This alternative emphasizes the unspoken or unstated nature of the understanding.

tacit awareness

Focuses on the unspoken and perhaps unconscious nature of the understanding.

fundamental grasp

Highlights the basic and essential nature of the understanding.

core knowledge

Emphasizes the central and foundational aspect of the knowledge.

basic insight

Stresses the initial and essential nature of the insight.

deep seated knowledge

Highlights the entrenched or profound nature of the knowledge.

inherent appreciation

Implies an automatic or natural understanding or valuing of something.

primary cognition

Focuses on the initial or foundational cognitive process involved.

elemental perception

Highlights the basic or fundamental nature of the perception.

ground level awareness

Emphasizes awareness at the most basic or foundational level.

FAQs

How can I use "underlying understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "underlying understanding" to describe a tacit or implicit comprehension, as in, "There was an underlying understanding among the team members that deadlines were to be taken seriously".

What's a good substitute for "underlying understanding"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "implicit comprehension", "tacit awareness", or "fundamental grasp".

Is it correct to say 'the understanding is underlying'?

While grammatically possible, it's less common and often less effective. "Underlying understanding" typically functions as a single, cohesive phrase. A more natural phrasing would be to describe what is underlying, rather than saying the understanding itself is underlying.

What is the difference between "underlying understanding" and "fundamental understanding"?

"Underlying understanding" implies a less obvious, often unspoken comprehension, while "fundamental understanding" refers to a basic or essential comprehension. The phrase "fundamental understanding" emphasizes the foundational nature of the knowledge.