understanding to

USAGE SUMMARY

"understanding to" is not a correct phrase in written English.
It is not a phrase used in standard English. Instead, consider using phrasing such as "understand how to," "have an understanding of," or "understand what it means to." For example, "I have an understanding of what it means to be successful."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It takes a high level of understanding to understand harmonically what's going on".

The New York Times

"There's a deal, an understanding to be had.

The New York Times

We extend our compassion and understanding to the family.

The New York Times

"We must find an understanding to solve this conflict".

The New York Times

"I have a one-sentence spec. Which is to help bring natural language understanding to Google.

The Guardian - Tech

They seemed to have reached some sort of Clintonian understanding to remain in the executive mansion.

The New York Times

But moreover, people have been patient and understanding to my needs and frequent mood swings.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The release of these field reports does not bring new understanding to Iraq's past".

The Guardian

He denied there was any agreement or understanding to the contrary.

The Guardian

Do you want the reader's understanding to shift as the story unfolds?

The New Yorker

"But there is a balance and an understanding to every situation.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey comprehension or knowledge, utilize the correct preposition "of" after "understanding". For instance, say "understanding of the subject" instead of "understanding to the subject".

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "understanding" when referring to a general concept or topic. The correct preposition is typically "of". Using "to" can lead to grammatically incorrect sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understanding to" functions as a prepositional phrase, but its use is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig shows that it is often used incorrectly in place of "understanding of".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "understanding to" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI indicates it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct and widely accepted form is "understanding of". Therefore, it's best to avoid "understanding to" in your writing and opt for grammatically sound alternatives like ""understanding of"", "comprehension of", or "grasp of" to ensure clarity and correctness. Using the right preposition after the word "understanding" leads to more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Understanding of

Switches the preposition to "of", creating a grammatically correct phrase.

A comprehension of

Replaces "understanding" with the more formal "comprehension".

Understanding how to

Adds "how to" to introduce an action, making it grammatically sound.

Capacity to understand

Uses a noun phrase "capacity" plus a verb "to understand" instead of just noun "understanding".

A grasp of

Replaces "understanding" with "grasp", indicating comprehension.

An awareness of

Substitutes "understanding" with "awareness", suggesting consciousness of a topic.

Insight into

Uses "insight" instead of "understanding", focusing on a deeper level of comprehension.

Familiarity with

Replaces "understanding" with "familiarity", indicating knowledge through experience.

Knowledge of

Uses "knowledge" instead of "understanding", emphasizing factual information.

An appreciation for

Employs "appreciation" to suggest a valuing or recognition of something.

FAQs

How to correctly use "understanding" in a sentence?

Use "understanding of" followed by the subject you comprehend. For example, "I have an "understanding of" quantum physics" is correct, while "understanding to quantum physics" is incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "understanding to"?

Instead of "understanding to", you can use phrases such as ""understanding of"", "comprehension of", or "grasp of" depending on the context.

Why is "understanding to" considered grammatically incorrect?

The preposition "to" does not typically follow the noun "understanding" when expressing comprehension or knowledge. The correct preposition in most cases is "of". So, "understanding to" should be avoided.

In what contexts might I see "understanding to" used, and why should I avoid it?

While you might encounter "understanding to" in various sources, particularly informal ones, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to stick to established grammatical patterns like using ""understanding of"" to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing.