understanding is wanting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understanding is wanting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the relationship between knowledge and desire, suggesting that to understand something often leads to a desire for it. Example: "In many philosophical discussions, it is often said that understanding is wanting, as knowledge can ignite a deep desire for change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scholarship has just begun to recognize The Children's Educator as the earliest children's magazine by indigenous Chinese, but an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the publication is wanting.

Princeton University

Their insistent focus on censoring academics, cultural events and professional ties target in practice the very elements of society which anyone interested in fostering understanding should be wanting to bolster.

The Guardian - Opinion

A kind of a strategic vision that is based on a concrete realistic intimate understanding of the situation has been wanting.

HuffPost

My understanding is that Quintain wants to be able to express sustainability in its developments in a different way".

The Guardian - Business

"My understanding is we basically wanted more business and we felt that the power of the Hilton brand" could entice to the downtown area Hilton loyalty members who now stay in Hilton properties on the more-glamorous west side of town, closer to Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

The New York Times

Understanding is power, and I wanted to understand what my body did over the course of a single day that caused my weight to vary so much from one morning to the next.

The Guardian

As reported by the Australia Council for the Arts, the understanding is that "… audiences wanted to be entertained, not lectured or told 'how guilty I should be for being white"'.

The Guardian - Opinion

No matter what happens in our lives — a grave illness, a wrenching divorce, a death in the family — the unspoken understanding is that we should want to rush back into the game.

The New York Times - Health

My understanding is that they did not want to do it but they were talked into it by the secretary of the treasury," says Bove. "They did not have time to do due diligence.

The Guardian - Business

Wasps have been holding talks with Cipriani, who signed a one-year extension with the club a year ago, for the past 10 weeks but, even though they are able to match what the Rebels can offer, which would be a maximum of £172,000 a year, their understanding is that the outside-half wants a change of environment.

The Guardian - Sport

"My understanding is the [Stormont] Department of Justice wants nothing to do with the scheme, so as far as the government is concerned this scheme is at an end.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "understanding is wanting", ensure the context clearly implies that the absence of understanding creates a need or desire for it. This phrase is best suited for formal or reflective writing.

Common error

Avoid using "understanding is wanting" when simply stating a lack of knowledge without implying a desire or need for it. Use more direct phrases like "understanding is lacking" or "knowledge is absent" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understanding is wanting" functions as a statement highlighting a deficiency or lack. While grammatically sound, it's an infrequent construction used to emphasize the absence of comprehension and, often, the desire for it.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "understanding is wanting" is a grammatically correct but relatively uncommon expression used to convey a lack of comprehension and an implicit need for it. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though it is not frequently encountered in common parlance. Related phrases such as "understanding is lacking" or "comprehension is needed" may serve as more direct alternatives. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly shows that the absence of understanding creates a genuine need or desire for it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understanding is lacking

Focuses on the absence of understanding rather than implying a desire for it.

comprehension is needed

Highlights the necessity of understanding, a more direct statement.

insight is desired

Emphasizes the desire for deeper insight, shifting the focus slightly.

knowledge is needed

Directly states the need for knowledge, a core component of understanding.

awareness is lacking

Focuses on a general lack of awareness, a prerequisite for understanding.

there is a need for understanding

A more formal and explicit way of expressing the absence of understanding.

grasping the concept is important

Highlights the importance of understanding a specific concept.

a better understanding is required

Indicates a need for improvement in the current level of understanding.

more information is wanted

Focuses on the desire for more information, which can lead to understanding.

clarity is needed

Highlights the necessity of clarity, which is essential for understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "understanding is wanting" in a sentence?

You can use "understanding is wanting" to express that a lack of comprehension creates a specific need or desire. For example, "In this complex situation, understanding is wanting, and further investigation is necessary."

What does "understanding is wanting" mean?

The phrase "understanding is wanting" means that there is a lack of comprehension or knowledge, and this absence creates a need or desire for better understanding.

What can I say instead of "understanding is wanting"?

You can use alternatives like "understanding is lacking", "comprehension is needed", or "insight is desired" depending on the context.

Is "understanding is wanting" grammatically correct?

Yes, "understanding is wanting" is grammatically correct, though it is not a very common phrase. It is used to express that something is lacking in comprehension.