I understand certainly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I understand certainly" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used to express agreement or acknowledgment, but it is more natural to say "I certainly understand." Example: "After hearing your explanation, I understand certainly why you made that decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He went on, "I understand, certainly sitting in this office, that probably the single most important thing I could do for poor black kids is to make sure that they're getting a good K-through-12 education.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Certainly I understand the need for clarity.

The New York Times

"Certainly I understand and support its basic premise that our Constitution stands for equality for all people," she said of the court's ruling on same-sex marriage.

The New York Times

"I understand that, and we are certainly going to be dealing with those".

The Guardian

Although I certainly understand the readers' objections, I found the photographs arresting but pretty mild, especially by today's fashion magazine standards.

The New York Times

So I think it's important but I certainly understand.

TechCrunch

"I certainly understand the president's logic, and I've always got it," Rep. Roger Marshall (R-Kan).

Huffington Post

I don't have one myself, but I certainly understand that those in possession of penises have a highly vested interest in not seeing them smashed.

Huffington Post

"I certainly understand our customer frustration over this matter, and I'm very sympathetic to the experience they've been going through on the railroad".

The New York Times

"I certainly understand the frustration the black clergy have, and I have and will continue to work to resolve that," he said.

The New York Times

I don't happen to subscribe to that theory, but I certainly understand why others might.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing understanding, use the more common and grammatically correct phrase "I certainly understand" or alternative phrases like "I fully understand".

Common error

Avoid placing "certainly" after "understand" as it results in an unnatural and grammatically incorrect sentence structure. Opt for the standard word order of "I certainly understand".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I understand certainly" functions as an attempt to express comprehension with emphasis. However, according to Ludwig AI, it deviates from standard English grammar. The correct phrasing, "I certainly understand", functions as an assertion of comprehension.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I understand certainly" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the more acceptable and common phrasing is "I certainly understand". While the intent is to convey comprehension and agreement, the reversed word order makes the phrase sound awkward. It's advisable to use the standard phrasing or explore alternative expressions like "I fully understand" or "I clearly understand" for better clarity and grammatical correctness. Considering these points ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I certainly understand

Reorders the words for standard English word order.

I fully understand

Replaces "certainly" with a synonym emphasizing complete understanding.

I clearly understand

Emphasizes clarity of understanding.

I comprehend completely

Uses a more formal synonym for "understand" and emphasizes completeness.

I grasp that completely

Uses "grasp" as a synonym for "understand" and emphasizes completeness.

I get it completely

Uses a more informal phrase for understanding, emphasizing completeness.

I appreciate that

Expresses understanding and acknowledgement, often used in response to a situation or feeling.

I recognize that

Indicates acknowledgement and awareness of something.

I am aware of that

Shows acknowledgement and understanding of a fact or situation.

That makes sense to me

Indicates that something is logical and understandable.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "I understand certainly"?

The correct and more common way to express this is "I certainly understand". This follows standard English word order and sounds more natural.

Are there alternatives to saying "I understand certainly"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "I fully understand", "I clearly understand", or "I comprehend completely" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "I understand certainly" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "I understand certainly" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The adverb "certainly" should precede the verb "understand". Use "I certainly understand" instead.

When can I use "I certainly understand"?

You can use "I certainly understand" to express that you have a clear and complete understanding of something. It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts.