understand of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'understand of' is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase 'understand' when referring to someone being able to comprehend or figure out something. For example, "I am trying to understand this complicated mathematics problem."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I understand of course that voting from overseas entails complications.

The Guardian

What does each understand of the other; what do they gain, what do they lose?

The Guardian - Books

It is less surprising how little most people understand of trans lives.

The Guardian

Evidence abounds as to how little our patients understand of what we tell them.

The Guardian - Opinion

What most Kosovars will understand of such a sign can only be imagined.

The New York Times

How much – if anything – do you think they understand of what they are saying?

The Guardian - Opinion

One would understand, of course, if the fans around here were especially exasperated.

The New York Times - Sports

We understand, of course, that there is another point of view, although we strongly disagree with it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But somehow I understand her; the only thing I don't understand, of course, is her hatred of her daughter".

The New York Times

He is a creature, as he comes to understand, of the "frequented pasture" and the garden plot.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Frank couldn't understand - of course he couldn't - how a man like Bogie, who was attractive, funny, a big star, could be faithful to one woman".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "understand" without the preposition "of" when referring to comprehension. For example, say "I understand the concept" instead of "I understand of the concept".

Common error

Avoid adding "of" after "understand". The correct usage is simply "understand" followed by the object of understanding. For instance, it's correct to say "I understand the instructions", not "I understand of the instructions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understand of" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't serve a recognized function in English. Ludwig AI confirms that this is not a standard construction. Instead, "understand" should be used directly, without the preposition "of", to indicate comprehension.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "understand of" is grammatically incorrect in English. Ludwig AI confirms this, and no correct examples are found. Instead, use "understand" directly followed by the object of comprehension (e.g., "I understand the instructions"). Avoid adding "of" after "understand" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing. Using correct grammar enhances the effectiveness of your communication in all contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehend

A direct synonym emphasizing thorough understanding.

grasp

Implies seizing or capturing an understanding of something.

have knowledge of

Directly states the possession of information or understanding.

have an understanding of

Uses a noun phrase to convey comprehension, adding a degree of formality.

be aware of

Emphasizes the state of knowing or being conscious of something.

perceive

Focuses on becoming aware or conscious of something through understanding.

recognize

Highlights the acknowledgment and understanding of something familiar.

be cognizant of

A more formal way of saying "be aware of", indicating knowledge.

appreciate

Adds a sense of value or positive assessment to the understanding.

fathom

Suggests deeply exploring and understanding something complex.

FAQs

How do I correctly use the word "understand" in a sentence?

Use "understand" directly followed by what you comprehend, without adding "of". For example, "I understand the question" is correct, while "I understand of the question" is incorrect.

What are some alternatives to saying "I understand"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I "comprehend"", "I "grasp" the concept", or "I "perceive" the meaning."

Is there a difference between "understand" and "understand of"?

Yes, "understand of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is simply "understand". For example, say "I understand it" instead of "I understand of it".

When should I use a preposition after the word "understand"?

You typically don't use a preposition directly after "understand" when indicating comprehension. However, you might use a prepositional phrase to provide context, such as "I understand, in light of the evidence, that..." but not "I understand of the evidence".