what is your understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'what is your understanding of' is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use this phrase when you want to ask someone to explain their understanding of a particular concept or idea. For example: "What is your understanding of the differences between socialism and communism?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

What is your understanding of the Maoist problem in India?

The New York Times

What is your understanding of this trade-off?

Columbia University

What is your understanding of redeeming social value and which plays had it last season?

The New York Times

Mr. President, on Iraq, what is your understanding of the Chinese presence in Iraq, especially with regard to constructing military facilities?

The New York Times

When faced with a patient who says, "I'll do anything to live two minutes longer," Dr. Smith said the doctor should ask: "What is your understanding of your illness?

The New York Times - Health

Who are your other doctors so that I can communicate with them?" Continuing Discussion Finally, he said, rather than asking the patient "do you have any questions?" the doctor should ask, "Now that we have discussed this, what is your understanding of your situation?" And rather than having this conversation only once, Dr. Smith said, "It should be repeated at every transition point".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

REMNICK: What's your understanding of what he does all day?

The New Yorker

"What's your understanding of the status of the tumor?" Dr. O'Mahony asked.

The New York Times - Health

REMNICK: What's your understanding of Russia and the Trump Administration, broadly defined?

The New Yorker

So when you began "Mad Men," what was your understanding of the Joan character?

The New York Times

We would attract third-party equity capital into that entity, and that entity would write a derivative that would basically hedge some of our high technology MR. FITZGERALD -- What was your understanding of how the Raptors were capitalized?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking "what is your understanding of" a complex topic, follow up with more specific questions to clarify their comprehension and identify areas for further discussion.

Common error

When using "what is your understanding of", ensure the subject is clearly defined. Ambiguity can lead to vague or irrelevant responses. Provide context to guide their understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is your understanding of" functions as an interrogative phrase used to elicit someone's comprehension or interpretation of a specific topic, concept, or situation. As seen in Ludwig, it's a direct way to assess their grasp of the subject matter.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what is your understanding of" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to inquire about someone's comprehension of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides diverse examples from reputable sources, spanning news, academia, and science. While versatile, it's crucial to define the subject clearly to avoid ambiguity. Consider related phrases like "what's your interpretation of" for nuanced communication. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively use this phrase to elicit insightful responses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What's your interpretation of

Replaces "understanding" with "interpretation", focusing on subjective meaning.

How would you describe your understanding of

Invites a descriptive explanation of their understanding.

What is your perspective on

Substitutes "understanding" with "perspective", emphasizing a viewpoint or stance.

How do you interpret

Directly asks for an interpretation, simplifying the structure.

What is your assessment of

Focuses on their evaluation or judgment of the topic.

What are your thoughts on

Replaces "understanding" with "thoughts", inviting a more general opinion.

What is your reading of

Uses "reading" instead of "understanding", implying an interpretation of a text or situation.

What's your take on

Informal way of asking for someone's opinion or understanding.

Can you explain your view of

Asks for an explanation of their view, making it more direct.

What do you make of

An idiomatic way to ask for someone's opinion or interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "what is your understanding of" in a sentence?

You can use "what is your understanding of" to inquire about someone's comprehension of a topic. For example, "What is your understanding of the theory of relativity?" or "What is your understanding of the company's new policy?"

What can I say instead of "what is your understanding of"?

You can use alternatives like "what is your interpretation of", "what is your perspective on", or "how do you interpret depending on the context".

When is it appropriate to use "what is your understanding of"?

It's appropriate to use "what is your understanding of" in situations where you need to assess someone's knowledge or grasp of a particular subject, especially in professional, academic, or medical settings.

What's the difference between "what is your understanding of" and "what do you know about"?

"What is your understanding of" implies a deeper level of comprehension and interpretation, while "what do you know about" simply asks for factual knowledge. The former seeks insight; the latter, information.