I understand most

USAGE SUMMARY

"I understand most" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of situations where the speaker is expressing their comprehension or level of understanding. One example of using this phrase could be in a conversation between two coworkers discussing a new project: Person A: "Do you understand the new project guidelines?" Person B: "I understand most, but could you clarify the budget allocations?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

From what I understand, most donors are, like you, very happy afterward that they were able to save someone's life.

The New Yorker

"I understand most of the 63 persons let off today were denied bail and spent all these years behind bars," he said.

Independent

There are around eight people working for the startup now and from what I understand most will be joining Twitter.

TechCrunch

The European venture capital firm, which has previously invested in fintech unicorn Revolut and the well-established GoCardless, has led Cleo's $10 million Series A round, in which I understand most early backers, including Zennström, also followed on.

TechCrunch

Having browsed the Marketplace for about half an hour, I can't possible imagine that's really the case, although I understand most of its user activity originates from Asia, Latin America and Europe.

TechCrunch

I understand there are sensitive cultural issues at play, and I understand most people can't afford to live here.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Which is to say I understood most of it, even before Jacobi explained it all to me.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

During this last decade, I have been learning by osmosis American English -- or rather, the American use of English -- and, while still far from bilingual, I can understand most of what I hear.

Huffington Post

I can understand most things in English but I find it hard to speak.

The Guardian - Sport

"I can understand most everything," he said, "but still find it difficult to express myself".

The New York Times

I cannot understand most of his words, but the gist of it is that, years ago, he said a joke at a table and a famous man laughed at his joke.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I understand most" when you want to express that you have a general or substantial understanding of something, but not necessarily a complete one. It's useful when acknowledging some gaps in your knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "I understand most" when you actually have a complete understanding of the topic. Overstating your understanding can lead to miscommunication or appearing less competent than you are. If you understand everything, simply say "I understand."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I understand most" functions as a statement of comprehension, indicating that the speaker possesses a partial but not complete understanding. As Ludwig indicates, it's a way of expressing comprehension with some reservations. This is evident in examples such as "I understand most of the 63 persons let off today were denied bail" and "I understand most women don't want to look like a man."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I understand most" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating a partial but substantial comprehension. According to Ludwig, this phrase is helpful to express comprehension with some reservations. While not overly frequent, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news media, science and business sectors. When using this phrase, keep in mind the importance of acknowledging knowledge gaps while communicating effectively. Remember, it's better to be clear about what you don't understand than to feign complete comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I understand the majority

Replaces "most" with "the majority", which is a more formal way of expressing a similar concept.

I largely comprehend

Replaces "understand most" with "largely comprehend", emphasizing a broad but not necessarily complete understanding.

I understand a good portion

Replaces "most" with "a good portion", indicating a substantial but not necessarily complete understanding.

I mostly grasp

Uses "mostly grasp" instead of "understand most", suggesting a firm but possibly incomplete understanding.

I'm fairly clear on

Uses "fairly clear on" instead of "understand most", suggesting a reasonable level of understanding about a specific topic.

I generally perceive

Substitutes "understand most" with "generally perceive", highlighting a common or overall understanding.

I get the gist

Replaces "I understand most" with the idiom "I get the gist", indicating a general comprehension of the main points.

I broadly follow

Uses "broadly follow" instead of "understand most", suggesting a general understanding of a process or argument.

My comprehension is mostly clear

This alternative focuses on the clarity of the speaker's comprehension, implying a high degree of understanding.

I have a good handle on

Replaces "understand most" with "have a good handle on", suggesting a practical understanding or control of a situation.

FAQs

What does "I understand most" mean?

It means you have a general or substantial comprehension of something but not a complete one. There might be details or nuances you don't fully grasp.

What can I say instead of "I understand most"?

You can use alternatives like "I largely comprehend", "I mostly grasp", or "I get the gist" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I understand most" or "I understand completely"?

It depends on your level of understanding. Use "I understand most" when you have a general grasp, but some details are unclear. Use "I understand completely" when you have a full and thorough comprehension.

When is it appropriate to use "I understand most" in a professional setting?

It's appropriate when acknowledging that you've grasped the main points of a project, concept, or instruction, but you might still have questions or need clarification on specific details. This conveys both understanding and a proactive approach to learning more.