understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the comprehension or grasp of a concept, idea, or situation. Example: "Her understanding of the complex theory impressed everyone in the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"By understanding the whole picture we can all make informed decisions about what we consume," says Turner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It tells the story of Joe Alston, a retired literary agent who feels that "he has gone downstream like a stick, getting hung up in eddies and getting flushed out again, only half understanding what he floated past, and understanding less with every year.

The Guardian - Books

That idea of understanding users extends to Evernote's desire to be able to dig into your previous documents and those of your co-workers and ferret out knowledge that will be useful for whatever you're working on, before you realise that you might need it.

The Guardian - Tech

Understanding exactly how the combination of low blood glucose and high ketones prevents seizures has become the subject of intense research.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It continues into understanding what it means for people to hold their elected representatives accountable according to these new goals.

The Guardian

"The parents and pupils are extremely understanding of the situation and in every other respect the school is doing very well.

The Guardian

"The fundamentals are understanding your palate and how to construct flavours".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By not understanding the likely levels of immigration we risk increasing the poisonous rhetoric and prejudice which leads to the destruction of all rational debate.

The Guardian

It is not the point of Brushstroke and may get in the way of understanding it.

The New York Times - Food

"Some people might be very good at understanding another person's mental state but not necessarily act on that behaviour," Platt says.

The Guardian

But here's the Bank's summary of her conclusion: "Understanding recent trends in the domestic component of inflation has been challenging" and it is "critically important to monitor measures of prospective inflation to determine the appropriate path of monetary policy".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "understanding" to convey not only intellectual comprehension but also empathy or an agreed-upon arrangement.

Common error

Avoid using "understanding" as a vague substitute for more precise terms like "knowledge", "awareness", or "agreement". Choose the word that best reflects the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "understanding" is as a noun, referring to a mental grasp, agreement, or empathy. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used across various contexts to indicate comprehension or mutual accord.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Lifestyle

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Opinion

10%

Sport

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "understanding" is a versatile term that, according to Ludwig AI, serves as a noun to denote comprehension, agreement, or empathy across diverse fields like News & Media, Lifestyle, and Business. Given its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, writers should focus on ensuring contextual clarity and choosing the most precise term to prevent vagueness. Related phrases such as "comprehension", "grasp", and "agreement" can provide alternative options for conveying similar meanings with subtle nuances. As demonstrated via Ludwig examples, a solid "understanding" ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Comprehension

Focuses specifically on the mental grasp of something.

Grasp

Implies a firm mental hold or complete understanding.

Appreciation

Suggests a valuing or recognition of the significance of something.

Awareness

Highlights a state of being conscious or informed.

Realization

Emphasizes the moment of becoming fully aware or understanding.

Agreement

Indicates a mutual arrangement or accord.

Empathy

Focuses on the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Insight

Suggests a deep and intuitive understanding of a complex issue.

Perception

Refers to the way something is understood or interpreted.

Discernment

Highlights the ability to judge well or demonstrate keen insight.

FAQs

How can I use "understanding" in a sentence?

"Understanding" can be used in various contexts. For example, "Her "understanding" of quantum physics is remarkable" or "We have a mutual "understanding" regarding the project's deadlines".

What are some synonyms for "understanding"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "comprehension", "grasp", "awareness", or "agreement".

How does "understanding" differ from "knowledge"?

"Knowledge" implies having information or facts, while ""understanding"" suggests a deeper comprehension of the meaning and implications of that information.

Is it correct to say "I am understanding"?

While "understanding" is primarily a state, using "I am understanding" might be acceptable in informal contexts to emphasize an ongoing process of comprehension, but it's often better to use "I understand" or "I am coming to an "understanding"" for clarity.