we would like to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "we would like to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express a desire to gain insight into something. For example, "We would like to understand why our sales have been declining."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

We would like to understand the patterns of migration.

Yale University

These are a few of the problems we would like to understand.

Cornell University

We would like to understand how these signals connect to the death pathway in health and disease in order to improve therapies.

Stanford University

9. We would like to understand the extent to which you feel that these experiments enhanced your learning experiences in the course.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We would like to understand the detail of how the Rab protein cycle between membranes and the cytosol is linked to their nucleotide cycle.

Cornell University

Then we would like to understand how this communication is altered when the maternal environment is suboptimal (for example maternal genes are perturbed or the mother is stressed).

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

And we'd like to understand that first, as a baseline for understanding the more complex [INAUDIBLE].

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ultimately we'd like to understand how genetic variants impact the whole organism, but if we can start by understanding how they affect the cell, that's a first step.

University of Chicago

"We'd like to understand what the facts are".

The New York Times - Sports

We'd like to understand espionage as a labor choice.

Harvard Business Review

We'd like to understand why people spend time alone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we would like to understand" to clearly state your intention to gain insight or knowledge about a specific topic. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "we would like to understand" excessively in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "we want to know" or "we're trying to figure out" can be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we would like to understand" functions as an expression of intent to gain comprehension or knowledge about a particular subject. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to introduce a question or topic that will be explored in greater detail. The structure itself sets the stage for further inquiry and exploration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

28%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we would like to understand" is a versatile phrase used to express the intention to gain knowledge or comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in academic, scientific, and news contexts. While its formality suits professional settings, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual conversations. The phrase's communicative purpose is to introduce a topic of inquiry, and its consistent usage across authoritative sources reinforces its reliability in written and spoken English. Remember to use simpler forms when the context is informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we aim to comprehend

Replaces "would like to" with "aim to", creating a more direct and concise expression of intent.

we seek to understand

Substitutes "would like to" with "seek to", offering a slightly more formal tone.

we are trying to understand

Emphasizes the ongoing effort to gain understanding, adding a sense of process.

our goal is to understand

Highlights the objective of understanding as a primary focus.

it is our intention to understand

Introduces a formal declaration of intent to understand.

we are interested in understanding

Indicates a curiosity and interest in gaining knowledge.

we hope to understand

Expresses a desire and expectation to achieve understanding.

we are keen to understand

Conveys enthusiasm and eagerness to comprehend.

understanding is what we want

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize the importance of understanding.

we are striving for understanding

Highlights the effort and dedication involved in the pursuit of comprehension.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we would like to understand" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "we aim to comprehend", "we seek to understand", or "it is our intention to understand".

What is a simpler alternative to "we would like to understand"?

In less formal situations, you can use phrases such as "we want to know", "we're trying to figure out", or "we're interested in understanding".

Is "we would like to understand" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "we would like to understand" is suitable for academic writing. It clearly expresses the intent to explore and comprehend a topic, as seen in many academic papers Ludwig provides.

What's the difference between "we would like to understand" and "we need to understand"?

"We would like to understand" expresses a desire or intention to gain knowledge, while "we need to understand" implies a necessity or requirement. The latter suggests that understanding is crucial for a specific purpose.