useful to understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "useful to understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the value or benefit of something in relation to comprehension or insight. Example: "The detailed explanation provided in the article is useful to understanding the complex theories behind climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

However, secondary resources are also useful to understanding the background, causes and effects from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.

Cornell University

I've also taken part in a conference on digital preservation, which was useful to understanding the process and the meaning behind archiving in a technological age.

Columbia University

We argue that analyzing the simpler cortical circuits of reptiles is, besides being useful to understanding cortical evolution, of central importance to understanding cortical function in general.

Evolution of Nervous Systems

Critical editions print in one book a text as well as scholarly responses to it and other information useful to understanding the text (such as letters from the author).

Yale University

Balanced cross-sections can be further improved and become more useful to understanding real physical problems by collection of additional data such as seismic reflection surveys, collection of additional stratigraphic data, or collection of rock fabric information.

Journal of Structural Geology

Understanding the experiences within the WBNP and RMNP areas, particularly the strategies that have failed or succeeded, may prove useful to understanding and improving management approaches when wildlife are infected with M. bovis.

Veterinary Microbiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

In several scholarly articles, Michael Edward Brown provided a useful approach to understanding the causes of ethnic conflict.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"A very useful introduction to understanding the gender relations, working culture, and condition of women in Japan...

Cornell University

The study of monoclonal antibodies raised against defined hapten epitopes has been a useful approach to understanding antibody repertoire.

Immunology Letters

His discussion of the various intellectual players is well informed, and he makes a useful contribution to understanding the contending variations of modern American conservatism.

The New York Times - Books

Whenever we find something new, we'll add it here and by the end of round four, we hope to have a useful guide to understanding the 2012 debates.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "useful to understanding", ensure the subject clearly identifies what specifically aids comprehension. For example, "The diagram is useful to understanding the process."

Common error

Avoid embedding "useful to understanding" within long, convoluted sentences. This can obscure the intended meaning and reduce clarity. Break down complex ideas into simpler statements for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useful to understanding" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing its helpfulness in aiding comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly expresses the value of something in relation to insight.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

Academia

20%

News & Media

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "useful to understanding" serves to emphasize the helpfulness of something in aiding comprehension. Grammatically sound and frequently employed across various domains, as Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly appears in science and academic contexts. While alternatives like "helpful for understanding" and "beneficial for understanding" exist, "useful to understanding" maintains a neutral to formal tone. To optimize its usage, clarity is key: ensure the sentence clearly identifies what aids comprehension and avoid embedding the phrase within overly complex sentence structures. In summary, "useful to understanding" is a valuable tool for conveying the instrumental role of something in facilitating comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

helpful for understanding

Replaces "useful" with a direct synonym, maintaining the same structure and meaning.

beneficial for understanding

Substitutes "useful" with "beneficial", emphasizing the positive impact on comprehension.

valuable for understanding

Replaces "useful" with "valuable", highlighting the importance of something in aiding comprehension.

aiding in understanding

Changes the structure to a gerund phrase, focusing on the action of assisting comprehension.

instrumental in understanding

Uses "instrumental" to convey a sense of being essential for comprehension.

contributing to understanding

Highlights the role of something in adding to or improving comprehension.

assisting with comprehension

Replaces "understanding" with the more formal "comprehension" while maintaining the meaning.

facilitating comprehension

Emphasizes the ease with which something allows understanding to occur.

helpful in grasping

Replaces "understanding" with the more informal "grasping", implying a quicker, less intensive comprehension.

serving to clarify

Focuses on the function of clarifying something, leading to better understanding.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "useful to understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "helpful for understanding", "beneficial for understanding", or "valuable for understanding" depending on the context.

How can I use "useful to understanding" in a sentence?

Ensure the sentence clearly indicates what the subject is useful for. For example, "This model is useful to understanding consumer behavior" or "The data collected is useful to understanding the long-term effects of climate change".

Is there a difference between "useful to understanding" and "useful for understanding"?

While both are grammatically correct, "useful to understanding" is slightly more formal. "Useful for understanding" may sound more natural in everyday conversation.

Can "useful to understanding" be replaced with a single word?

While not a direct replacement, words like "instructive" or "illuminating" can sometimes convey a similar meaning, depending on the sentence structure and context.