ADJ
- complete, full
- He showed a full understanding of the sequence of events
- growing
- clear, deep, good, profound, proper, sophisticated, thorough, true
- You need to read more widely to gain a proper understanding of the issue
- adequate, basic, broad, general, sufficient
- limited
- She has only a limited understanding of what the job involves
- conceptual, critical, rational, theoretical
- historical, musical, scientific, etc.
- instinctive
- common
- Some religions have a common understanding of the nature of a divine being
QUANT
- level
- The students seem to have a reasonable level of understanding of how genes work
VERB + UNDERSTANDING
- have
- show
- reflect
- This change of policy reflects a growing understanding of the extent of the problem
- lack
- acquire, arrive at, gain
- give sb
- advance, broaden, deepen, develop, enhance, enrich, improve, increase
- a book that will deepen your understanding of global warming
PREP
- ~ about
- The book aims to give children a balanced understanding of food, farming and the environment
- ~ of
VERB + UNDERSTANDING
- pass
- a level of cruelty that passes human understanding
PREP
- beyond (your) ~
- The idea of eternity is beyond our full understanding
ADJ
- deeper, great
- mutual
- international
VERB + UNDERSTANDING
- show
- He didn't show much understanding towards her when she lost her job
- bring (about), develop, lead to
- Greater contact between the two groups should lead to a better mutual understanding
- gain in, grow in
- After spending a month living together, they have gained in understanding of each other
- foster, promote, work for
PREP
- ~ between
- The association fosters a deeper understanding between prisons and the public
ADJ
- written
- verbal
- tacit, unspoken
- There is an unspoken understanding that Hugh will be in charge while Jane is away
VERB + UNDERSTANDING
- have
- come to, reach
- They came to an understanding on when final payment was to be made
PREP
- ~ between
- an understanding between the companies to fight against the proposed tax reform
- ~ on
- a tacit understanding on the need for a pay rise
- on the ~
- I thought you gave me the book on the understanding that I could keep it