Comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the understanding or grasping of information, concepts, or ideas. Example: "It is important to comprehend the material before attempting the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What Rogers had described to me – protests, sit-ins, demonstrations, occupations, hummus – I can comprehend all that.

The Guardian

She is an energetic anti-poverty campaigner, infuriated by the media's vicious attacks on "benefit scroungers" and the inability of politicians and policymakers to comprehend the slender margins of breadline life.

The Guardian

The New York Times called the report "a portrait of depravity that is hard to comprehend and even harder to stomach".

The Guardian

He said: "I feel very sad because there is nothing worse that I could possibly comprehend than for a parent to lose a child, but then on top of that we had the difficult, upsetting situation where it took quite a while for all of us to persuade the authorities for Andrea's grandparents and aunt to come here.

The Guardian

I began to comprehend something of the awesome range and vigour of place words as they have existed in the numerous languages and dialects of these islands.

The Guardian - Books

Understanding that it affects rich and poor, successful and not so successful, men and women, old and young also helps you to comprehend: this is a universal scourge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Speroni himself is still struggling to comprehend the level of adulation.

The Guardian - Sport

Asked if he thought some members of Bradford's large and ever growing Muslim population would look upon his mission with disapproval, Dutton said: "There may well be, in the same way that I am sure there are some dyed-in-the-wool methodists who will find the idea of having a worship service run by a methodist minister in a brewery as something which is very strange and they couldn't comprehend.

The Guardian

Still can't comprehend how Sweden is in second spot.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In Peckham, some of the distrust was directed towards the Guardian and LSE, which a few participants portrayed as outsiders who would struggle to comprehend the hardships faced in the area.

The Guardian

At some point, I did begin to comprehend what I'd been through and how it had affected me.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comprehend" when you want to emphasize a complete and thorough understanding. It's stronger than simply "understand".

Common error

Avoid using "comprehend" in situations where a simpler word like "understand" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "comprehend" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object to complete its meaning, indicating what is being understood. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "comprehend" signifies a complete and thorough understanding, as validated by Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples. It is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, business, and scientific writing. While "understand" may suffice in simpler situations, "comprehend" emphasizes a deeper grasp. The Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Understand

A general term for grasping the meaning of something.

Grasp

Implies a firm understanding, often quickly achieved.

Apprehend

Suggests a more formal or legalistic understanding.

Fathom

Indicates a deeper, more thorough understanding of something complex.

Perceive

Emphasizes awareness and understanding through the senses or intuition.

Discern

Highlights the ability to distinguish or recognize subtle differences.

Figure out

An informal way to describe solving a problem or understanding something.

Make sense of

Suggests bringing order or clarity to something confusing.

Get the picture

An idiomatic expression for understanding the general idea.

Be cognizant of

Implies a formal awareness or knowledge of something.

FAQs

How to use "comprehend" in a sentence?

You can use "comprehend" to describe understanding complex ideas. For example, "It is crucial to comprehend the underlying principles of quantum physics."

What can I say instead of "comprehend"?

You can use alternatives like "understand", "grasp", or "fathom", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "comprehend" or "understand"?

"Comprehend" and "understand" are both correct, but "comprehend" often implies a more complete and thorough understanding than "understand".

What's the difference between "comprehend" and "apprehend"?

"Comprehend" means to fully understand something, while "apprehend" can mean to understand or to arrest someone. Context is crucial.