widening understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widening understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of increasing knowledge or comprehension about a particular subject or issue. Example: "The seminar aims at widening understanding of climate change and its impacts on global ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"There's an increasingly widening understanding of the variety of cultural markets and people's tastes for small local theaters, different size venues that produce different kinds of cultural events," said Susan V. Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation, which has given Lincoln Center a $15 million grant for its redevelopment project.

The New York Times - Arts

Given a widening understanding of health and the factors affecting prospects for population health, public health can be viewed as being so expansive as to have no meaningful institutional, disciplinary or social boundaries.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Only then can young lives be turned around, horizons widened, understanding and empathy deepened.

The Guardian - Books

Some will not – but books are there to educate about the world, to explain difficult issues, to widen understanding.

The Guardian - Books

Adopt a "comprehensive communications strategy" to widen understanding of EU policy on settlements – including the EU's opposition to a boycott of Israel itself.

The Guardian

The widened understanding of the nutritional benefits of vegetables made them to be consumed in daily meals around the world almost every day (Gomez and Ricketts 2013; Southon 2000; Wargovich 2000).

International Journal of Food Contamination

Systematic investigation of the varying temporal and societal context of ageing has the potential to widen understanding of the interplay between individual lives and changing social structures.

BMJ Open

Also included were 38 local district opinion and political leaders and health center supervisors to widen understanding of the new system.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

In this, he won strong backing from organizations that lobby on behalf of Britain's disabled, who said that Ivan's story, and what it told of the hardships and joys of raising a disabled child, were an important step in widening public understanding.

The New York Times

It offers a mechanism for conceptualizing and deepening and widening our understanding of the means by which open and complex systems respond to dynamic and unpredictable external variables and, potentially, produce positive outcomes (Manyena and Gordon 2015).

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

A brief review of the series so far shows how the series authors are deepening and widening our understanding of the field and its potential.

Globalization and Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widening understanding" when you want to emphasize the process of gaining a broader or more comprehensive perspective on a topic. It suggests that the existing understanding is being expanded to encompass more information or viewpoints.

Common error

While "widening understanding" is generally acceptable, it can sound slightly less formal than alternatives like "enhancing comprehension" or "expanding knowledge" in academic or professional writing. Consider the audience and purpose when choosing the most appropriate phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widening understanding" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. This construction describes the process of increasing one's comprehension or knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widening understanding" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of expanding one's comprehension or knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, although it's relatively rare. While suitable for various contexts, it finds prominence in News & Media and Science. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as the depth of insight or the scope of knowledge being expanded. Be mindful that slightly more formal options might be preferred in academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expanding comprehension

Focuses on the mental process of grasping something more fully.

broadening insight

Emphasizes gaining a deeper intuitive grasp of a subject.

deepening awareness

Highlights the increase in conscious knowledge or perception.

enhancing knowledge

Stresses the improvement and augmentation of one's existing knowledge base.

developing appreciation

Suggests a gradual growth in valuing or understanding something.

increasing perception

Highlights an improvement in the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.

fostering literacy

Focuses on promoting competence in a specific area of knowledge or skill.

cultivating acumen

Implies carefully nurturing sharpness and quickness in understanding and dealing with a situation.

promoting awareness

Highlights taking steps to generally promote knowledge.

advancing literacy

Focuses on promoting higher levels of competence in knowledge or skill.

FAQs

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

You can use "widening understanding" to describe the act of increasing knowledge or comprehension. For example, "The aim of the course is "widening understanding" of the topic".

What are some alternatives to "widening understanding"?

Alternatives include "expanding comprehension", "broadening insight", or "deepening awareness". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "widening understanding" formal or informal?

"Widening understanding" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although slightly more formal options like "enhancing comprehension" may be preferred in academic or professional settings.

What's the difference between "widening understanding" and "increasing understanding"?

While similar, ""widening understanding"" suggests broadening the scope of comprehension, while "increasing understanding" simply implies a greater degree of comprehension within the existing scope.