understandings

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "understandings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a mutual understanding between two people, or to indicate that someone understands something. For example, "The two parties reached an agreement on their understandings regarding the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Our contributions should be to ensure that tensions are de-escalated and understandings between the parties continue to improve".

The Guardian

The Tories always operate through social networks in which understandings are reached without anything being written down or even spoken out loud.

The Guardian - Opinion

Had the archive been more widely known, international law enforcers say it would have given them new understandings and legal precedents to use in international criminal justice trials.

The Guardian

So, this package is deeply illiberal and departs from shared European understandings of democracy, which should involve a legitimate opposition – in contrast to a "democracy" where one party, whether in or out of power, claims permanently to speak for the nation as a whole.

The Guardian - Opinion

In any case, the whole idea of sanctions goes against the EU ethos of compromise, mutual accommodation and deference towards national understandings of political values (something that British Eurosceptics often fail to see).

The Guardian - Opinion

The lack of nuance in our understandings of global cultures reflects the overly simplistic rhetoric of our media sources that feed us this information.

The Guardian - Opinion

This would be akin to the "understandings" (to avoid attacks on civilians) between the Israeli army and Hizbollah during the last years of Israel's occupation of south Lebanon.Sincere or not, these moves are now buried beneath the rubble of Gaza.

The Economist

Instead, he is going to Washington on May 20th to reach "understandings" with George Bush on Israel's reservations about the plan.These include Israel's wish to defer any talk of a settlement freeze which, according to the map, should take place this year until the planned negotiations on a final settlement in 2005.

The Economist

Europe and America have their understandings with most of the governments in this region, about oil and other matters, and do not like to think of a changed future.The possible consolation, if the preceding article is correct, is that the force most likely to displace many existing governments the Islamic revival could in the long run prove a stabler partner for the West.

The Economist

Despite both sides claiming that certain understandings have been reached, there are still complaints in Tokyo that China is siphoning off Japanese gas.Security issues are another area of tension.

The Economist

Michigan acknowledges that "people have many different understandings of marriage and the role it should play in society".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "understandings" to denote mutual agreements or shared interpretations between parties. For example, "The treaty codified the understandings between the nations."

Common error

Avoid using "understandings" when you mean a singular, individual understanding. Use "understanding" to refer to a single person's grasp of a concept, and "understandings" to refer to multiple, possibly differing, interpretations or agreements.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "understandings" is that of a plural noun. It typically refers to multiple instances of comprehension, agreement, or interpretation. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, from political agreements to scientific concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "understandings" functions as a plural noun, commonly used to describe shared agreements, interpretations, or sets of knowledge across various domains. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news, scientific, and formal contexts. While often interchangeable with terms like "agreements" or "interpretations", "understandings" carries a nuanced emphasis on cognitive grasp and mutual acknowledgment. Be mindful of distinguishing between singular "understanding" and plural "understandings", and utilize this term to precisely convey shared perspectives or established concepts. In essence, "understandings" is a versatile term for expressing collective comprehension and agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agreements

Focuses specifically on the aspect of mutual agreement or accord, rather than general comprehension.

interpretations

Highlights the aspect of assigning meaning or significance to something, differing from a general understanding.

interpretations

Specifically refers to different ways of construing something, rather than general comprehension or agreement.

knowledge

Emphasizes the possession of facts or information, contrasting with the process of understanding.

perspectives

Highlights individual viewpoints or angles, rather than a shared understanding.

viewpoints

Emphasizes personal opinions or standpoints, rather than collective agreements or shared comprehension.

shared beliefs

Focuses on commonly held convictions, contrasting with the broader concept of understanding.

common ground

Highlights areas of agreement or mutual interest, shifting the focus from comprehension to shared interests.

working knowledge

Refers to a practical understanding sufficient for a specific task, rather than comprehensive understanding.

basic concepts

Highlights fundamental ideas or principles, rather than more complex or nuanced understandings.

FAQs

How can I use "understandings" in a sentence?

You can use "understandings" to refer to mutual agreements, shared interpretations, or sets of knowledge. For example, "The success of the project relied on clear understandings between the team members."

What's the difference between "understandings" and "agreements"?

"Understandings" implies a cognitive grasp or interpretation, while "agreements" specifically denote a mutual consensus or formal arrangement. "Understandings" can be informal, while "agreements" are often formal and documented.

Are there synonyms for "understandings"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "agreements", "interpretations", "knowledge", or "perspectives".

When is it appropriate to use "understandings" in formal writing?

It is appropriate to use "understandings" in formal writing when referring to established agreements, shared interpretations, or a body of knowledge within a specific field. For instance, "The report outlined the current understandings of climate change."