understanding with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'understanding with' is not correct and not usable in written English.
It would be better to use 'understanding of' or 'understanding between'. For example: The understanding between the two sides was essential for finding a solution to the dispute.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I always had a good understanding with Guus.

The Guardian - Sport

"We tried to reach an understanding with the soldiers.

The New York Times - Magazine

The second breach of understanding with shareholders is specific.

The Guardian - Business

My husband hadn't yet come to this understanding with himself.

The New York Times

Understanding with whom, asks the current Israeli government?

The Economist

And it has developed an implicit understanding with neighbouring cities.

The Economist

"Our friendly relationship of mutual understanding with the United States will go on," Mr. Gul said.

The New York Times

Last month, for example, the Vatican signed a memorandum of understanding with the Arab League.

The New York Times

You see, I'd recently committed to a non-negotiable understanding with myself.

The New York Times

It is in his understanding with Costa where Fàbregas is key.

The Guardian - Sport

Brooke thinks that John's "understanding" with the neighborhood used to be healthier.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To indicate a mutual agreement or accord between parties, opt for "understanding between". Example: "There's an understanding between the companies to share resources."

Common error

Avoid using "understanding with" when you mean to express comprehension of a subject or an agreement between parties. "Understanding of" and "understanding between" are the correct and preferred forms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understanding with" functions as a prepositional phrase, but it's grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI indicates that it's not correct English. It appears in various contexts, often attempting to express agreement or comprehension, but more precise alternatives exist.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "understanding with" appears in a variety of sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The appropriate alternatives, depending on the intended meaning, are "understanding of" (for comprehension) and "understanding between" (for mutual agreements). Despite its frequent appearance, especially in news and media contexts, writers should avoid using "understanding with" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. Rely on established phrases to effectively communicate the desired meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understanding of

Changes the preposition to indicate a grasp or knowledge about a subject, rather than a relationship with someone.

understanding between

Emphasizes a mutual agreement or accord shared by two or more parties.

rapport with

Indicates a harmonious or sympathetic connection with someone.

agreement with

Focuses on concurrence or alignment of opinions or actions.

empathy for

Highlights the ability to share and understand the feelings of another.

insight into

Suggests a deeper level of comprehension or perception.

familiarity with

Implies knowledge or experience with something or someone.

awareness of

Indicates a state of being conscious or informed about something.

grasp of

Focuses on the ability to comprehend and handle a concept or situation.

knowledge of

Highlights factual information or understanding about a specific subject.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "understanding" in a sentence?

The correct usage depends on the context. Use "understanding of" to show comprehension of a subject, like "an understanding of physics". Use "understanding between" to indicate a mutual agreement, such as "an understanding between colleagues".

Is it ever correct to say "understanding with"?

While you might encounter the phrase "understanding with", it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to use alternatives like "understanding of" or "understanding between".

What can I say instead of "understanding with"?

Replace it with phrases like "understanding of" (for comprehension) or "agreement with" (for concurrence), or "understanding between"(for mutual accord) depending on the context.

What is the difference between "understanding of" and "understanding with"?

"Understanding of" indicates comprehension or knowledge about a subject. "Understanding with" is generally considered incorrect and should be replaced with more appropriate phrases such as "understanding between", which implies a mutual agreement or accord.