without our understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without our understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a situation or action that occurs without the knowledge or comprehension of the involved parties. Example: "The decision was made without our understanding, leaving us confused about the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Each day that passes without our understanding what went wrong with our prewar intelligence increases the danger of repeating our past mistakes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I believe God can work in people's lives in all sorts of ways without our really understanding them," he said.

The New York Times

He said the court could not rule for North Carolina Right to Life in this case "without recasting our understanding of the risks of harm posed by corporate political contributions, of the expressive significance of contributions, and of the consequent deference owed to legislative judgments on what to do about them".

The New York Times

Organized roughly into four vignettes of baffling psychological cruelty, the story (by Simon Arthur, who also directed and expanded on his 2007 short film) moves from a hotel dining room to an Anglican church, from a nursing home to a police station without deepening our understanding of these kinky pranksters.

The New York Times

Without this, our understanding and management of NTDs is inevitably reduced to a strategy that relies on a repetitive, reductionist, flat-world science to overcome an acknowledged complex system.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Vignettes of Gould's life, individually slight but with an enormous cumulative power, are presented to the viewer without immediate context; our understanding of how they lock together happens only gradually.

The Guardian - Film

Despite sometimes being extremely rewarding (see the identification of the TRESK gene [59]), few linkage studies have been found to be replicable in independent investigations and their findings have pointed generally to broad genomic regions without clearly advancing our understanding of the genetics of typical MA or MO.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

We hope the referee will agree that without such details our understanding remains little better than cartoon models.

eLife

In our understanding without a basic domain (or some other equivalent mechanism for microtubule association) the TOGs would not function as polymerases and would instead be αβ-tubulin sequestering factors.

eLife

Such research will allow for the continued development of an etiological model of self-injurious behaviors with and without suicidal intent, furthering our understanding of self-injury and our ability to intervene with these prevalent and serious behaviors.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

It's impossible to understand the Korean presence in Iraq without understanding our complex and unequal relationship with the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using a more specific alternative if the lack of understanding stems from a particular reason, such as "without our knowledge" if information was withheld or "beyond our comprehension" if the subject matter is complex.

Common error

Avoid using "without our understanding" when a simpler phrase like "we didn't understand" suffices. Overusing the longer phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or passive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without our understanding" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating a condition under which an action occurs or a state exists. It specifies that something happens or is true in the absence of comprehension from a particular group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without our understanding" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a lack of knowledge or comprehension. It commonly appears in news, media, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase, but consider alternatives like ""without our knowledge"" or "unbeknownst to us" for subtle shifts in meaning or tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the referent of "our" is clear to avoid ambiguity. While frequently used, avoid overuse to maintain clarity and conciseness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without our knowledge

Stresses the absence of information; more direct and factual.

without our knowing

Similar to 'without our knowledge', but implies a more active sense of knowing.

without us realizing

Highlights the process of not becoming aware; focuses on the realization aspect.

unbeknownst to us

Emphasizes the lack of awareness from our perspective; more formal and literary.

beyond our comprehension

Indicates that something is too difficult to understand; emphasizes complexity.

escaping our notice

Highlights that something went unnoticed or unobserved.

outside our ken

A more archaic and formal way of saying 'beyond our knowledge'.

imperceptible to us

Focuses on the subtlety of something, making it difficult to perceive or understand.

eluding our grasp

Suggests that something is difficult to seize or understand, like trying to hold onto something slippery.

unseen by us

Focuses on the aspect of not being visually perceived or recognized.

FAQs

What does "without our understanding" mean?

The phrase "without our understanding" means something happened or exists in a state where we lack comprehension or awareness of it. It implies a lack of knowledge or insight from the perspective of a group.

When is it appropriate to use "without our understanding"?

Use "without our understanding" when you want to emphasize a lack of collective awareness or comprehension. It's suitable when something occurs unbeknownst to a group, or when something is too complex for a group to grasp. Consider alternatives like "without our knowledge" or "beyond our comprehension" for subtle differences in meaning.

Are there more formal alternatives to "without our understanding"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "unbeknownst to us" or "beyond our ken". These options can lend a more sophisticated tone to your writing, but ensure they fit the overall style and register of your piece.

How can I avoid ambiguity when using "without our understanding"?

To avoid ambiguity, ensure that the pronoun "our" is clearly defined. Make sure the reader knows exactly who the "we" refers to. Rephrasing the sentence to be more specific, such as "without the team's understanding", can also improve clarity.