understanding towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understanding towards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has an understanding attitude towards a certain person or situation. For example: "His parents showed understanding towards his desire to pursue an unconventional career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

are almost always calm, relaxed and understanding towards the behaviour of others.

The Guardian

I became increasingly understanding towards vagrants for whom the distance to another human being – the actual approach and talking to them – seems enormous.

The Guardian

Leaders that listen to employees, show understanding towards staff concerns and encourage members to share ideas build a trusted and engaged work climate.

The Guardian

He is understanding towards Tim, her father, who was long estranged from her mother, and who became a hate figure in the British tabloid press in 2006 when he accepted ¥100m (then $840,000) from Mr Obara in return for signing a document that questioned some of the evidence against him.Explaining Mr Obara's perversions and cruelty and how he was allowed to get away with them for so long is harder.

The Economist

"The supporters of Watford have always been very understanding towards our project here and I am certain they will continue to do everything they can to support the new coach and his squad".

BBC

The deployment of TC into pedagogical practices could facilitate the process of knowledge acquisition and transmission, accelerate students' understanding towards certain problems, and enrich teachers' teaching strategies and methods, which makes the teaching and learning pretty promising (Wang & Towey, 2012; Gu, Zhu, & Guo, 2013; Disterer & Kleiner, 2013).

Smart Learning Environments

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Abbott has repeatedly talked about his "journey" towards understanding.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's another step towards understanding so much more about what is such a complicated disease.

The Guardian

This is the first step towards understanding the impact of our online services.

The Guardian

These mechanisms are of wider interest towards understanding age-related diseases," he added.

Independent

Secondly, more resources should be put towards understanding the developmental damage these children have suffered.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider whether a synonym like "sympathy towards" or "empathy towards" might be more precise, depending on the intended nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "understanding towards" when "understanding of" is more appropriate. "Understanding of" refers to comprehension of a concept or subject, while "understanding towards" indicates an empathetic attitude towards someone or something. Be mindful of the subtle difference.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "understanding towards" is to act as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating an attitude of comprehension and empathy. As Ludwig states, it demonstrates an understanding attitude toward a certain person or situation. For instance, 'He is understanding towards Tim'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "understanding towards" effectively conveys empathy, acceptance, or tolerance. Ludwig highlights that it communicates an understanding attitude. It is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. However, writers should be mindful of the subtle differences with "understanding of" and choose the more appropriate phrase based on the intended meaning. Alternative phrases like "sympathy towards" or "empathy for" may sometimes provide greater nuance. Ensure the intended meaning aligns with the chosen expression for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empathetic to

Replaces 'understanding' with 'empathetic', focusing on the emotional aspect of comprehension.

sympathetic to

Similar to 'empathetic' and 'compassionate', but with a slightly more distanced emotional connection.

compassionate toward

Substitutes 'understanding' with 'compassionate', highlighting a caring and sympathetic approach.

sensitive to

Highlights an awareness and responsiveness to the needs or feelings of others.

considerate of

Stresses thoughtfulness and awareness of others' circumstances.

tolerant of

Shifts the focus to acceptance and forbearance rather than deep comprehension.

insightful about

Focuses on having a deep and accurate perception of a situation or person.

perceptive of

Similar to 'insightful', emphasizing keen observation and comprehension.

having insight into

Emphasizes a deeper level of comprehension and awareness.

appreciative of

Indicates a positive regard and value for something, rather than necessarily understanding it.

FAQs

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

You can use "understanding towards" to show empathy or acceptance. For example, "The community showed great understanding towards the family's difficult situation."

What's the difference between "understanding towards" and "understanding of"?

"Understanding towards" indicates empathy or acceptance of a person or situation, while "understanding of" refers to comprehending a concept or subject. For instance, "She demonstrated an understanding of quantum physics" versus "She showed understanding towards her friend's struggles."

What are some alternatives to "understanding towards"?

Alternatives include "sympathy towards", "empathy for", or "compassion for" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "understanding towards" formal or informal?

"Understanding towards" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider whether a more precise synonym might be appropriate.