weak understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of depth or clarity in someone's comprehension of a subject or concept. Example: "His weak understanding of the topic was evident during the discussion, as he struggled to answer basic questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

What makes him more of an idiot than a villain is his weak understanding of the power he had.

The Guardian - Opinion

A weak understanding of idiom and poor proofreading skills can often contribute to a western audiences' lower opinion of the work.

The Guardian

However it found that the rigour of financial planning varied considerably from force to force, while most had a "weak understanding" of the future demand for police services.

The Guardian

"I was never a fan of Colin Powell after his weak understanding of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq = disaster," Trump tweeted on Thursday morning.

The Guardian - Opinion

The main limitations related to a weak understanding of the decision making processes SEA aimed to inform, as well as an inability to incorporate flexibility into process design.

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

But the movie is dutiful rather than exciting: it's an austerely made feminist protest drama, in which the police and their various stooges condescend to Christine as a woman and therefore as someone of weak understanding.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

On the weaker understanding, he only meant to say that sensation instructs us in the proper employment of our capacities.

SEP

This student had a strong level 4 explanation of chemical change, but a weaker understanding of the movement of matter, and interpreted Mike's claim to be an argument about strategies for plant growth rather than about tracing matter.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Cramming leaves you tired, with a weaker understanding of the material, and sometimes with an outsized confidence in how well you'll do.

WikiHow

Stronger and weaker understandings of warrant yield stronger and weaker versions of the thesis as well.

SEP

The initial "research to policy" drive lost momentum because of poor in-country communication of the research, coupled with weak public understanding of, and engagement with, science.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's understanding, be specific about which areas are weak. For instance, instead of saying "His understanding is weak", specify, "He has a "weak understanding" of the underlying principles of the theory".

Common error

Avoid using "weak understanding" as a blanket statement. Instead, pinpoint the precise aspects of the topic that are poorly understood. For instance, instead of stating "They demonstrated a "weak understanding"", specify, "They demonstrated a "weak understanding" of the statistical methods used in the study".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak understanding" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "understanding". Ludwig AI's analysis, which aligns with the provided examples, confirms that it's used to describe a limited or deficient level of comprehension.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weak understanding" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a deficiency in comprehension. As Ludwig AI indicates, its frequency and presence in various contexts, ranging from news media to academic publications, highlight its versatility. To enhance clarity and precision, it's best practice to specify the subject area where the understanding is lacking. By avoiding generalizations and providing specific details, writers can effectively convey the nature and extent of the "weak understanding", offering insight into areas needing improvement or further exploration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited comprehension

Focuses on the extent of understanding, implying it doesn't reach a satisfactory level.

poor grasp

Emphasizes a lack of control or firm hold on the subject matter.

shallow knowledge

Highlights the lack of depth in the understanding.

tenuous grasp

Indicates a fragile or insecure understanding.

deficient knowledge

Points to a lack or inadequacy in the understanding.

inadequate comprehension

Similar to limited comprehension, but emphasizes the insufficiency.

superficial understanding

Similar to shallow knowledge, suggesting a lack of thoroughness.

flawed understanding

Highlights the presence of errors or inaccuracies in the understanding.

imperfect knowledge

Suggests the understanding has deficiencies or is incomplete.

rudimentary understanding

Implies the understanding is at a basic or initial stage.

FAQs

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

You can use "weak understanding" to describe someone's limited comprehension of a topic, such as: "The student displayed a "weak understanding" of the material" or "A "weak understanding" of the rules led to errors".

What are some alternatives to "weak understanding"?

Alternatives to "weak understanding" include "limited comprehension", "poor grasp", or "shallow knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct: "weak understanding" or "poorly understanding"?

"Weak understanding" is correct because "weak" is an adjective modifying the noun "understanding". "Poorly understanding" is grammatically incorrect; "poor understanding" or "understanding poorly" would be more appropriate alternatives depending on context.

What's the difference between "weak understanding" and "lack of understanding"?

"Weak understanding" suggests some level of comprehension exists, but it is insufficient or flawed. "Lack of understanding", on the other hand, implies a complete absence of comprehension.