To completely understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To completely understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing a statement or explanation that requires full comprehension of a subject or concept. Example: "To completely understand the theory, one must consider all the underlying principles and assumptions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To completely understand the energetics of the reaction process one must calculate the free energy along the reaction pathways.

Chemistry Central Journal

To completely understand what the Oculus Rift is like, you have to strap it on to your head.

Huffington Post

To completely understand how al Qaeda has taken root in Syria, one must pay close attention to the details.

Vice

To completely understand the various functions of RNAs, we need to first understand their structures.

BioMed Research International

To completely understand the necessity of accounting for the intra-class correlation for DCE data, particularly on analyzing nominal type of outcomes, simulation studies are needed.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

To completely understand uteroplacental ischemia as a cause of premature birth, the series of events between ischemia and increased myometrial contractility remain to be determined.

BioMed Research International

On assignment, a photographer doesn't actually have to completely understand.

The New Yorker

But in limited English, each side seemed to completely understand the other.

The New York Times

Working alongside US research group Women of Colour, they aimed to completely understand the needs of all darker skin tones.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It took a while for Obinze to completely understand what Nigel said, because of his accent, each word twisted and stretched.

The New Yorker

"He owed it to himself to completely understand, evaluate, reflect and come to a conclusion that will be part of his life forever.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "To completely understand" to introduce a complex explanation or a detailed analysis of a topic. It sets the stage for a thorough exploration and invites the reader to delve deeper into the subject matter.

Common error

Avoid using "To completely understand" when a simpler phrase like "To understand" or "To know" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose and pretentious in straightforward situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "To completely understand" functions as an introductory phrase. It typically precedes a clause that explains what is necessary for achieving a full comprehension of a topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it sets the stage for a more detailed explanation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "To completely understand" is a common and grammatically correct introductory phrase used to emphasize the need for thorough comprehension, as Ludwig AI confirms. It appears frequently in scientific and news contexts, reflecting its use in complex explanations and analyses. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in simple situations where more concise alternatives suffice. Related phrases such as "to fully grasp" or "to thoroughly comprehend" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To fully grasp

Replaces 'completely understand' with a more concise synonym for comprehension.

To thoroughly comprehend

Substitutes 'completely understand' with a more formal and intensive synonym.

To gain a complete understanding of

Transforms the phrase into a noun-based construction, emphasizing the acquisition of understanding.

To achieve total comprehension of

Replaces 'understand' with 'comprehension' and uses 'total' for emphasis.

To get a full picture of

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a comprehensive view instead of direct understanding.

To appreciate all facets of

Shifts the focus from understanding to appreciation, implying a deep and nuanced comprehension.

To have a comprehensive knowledge of

Emphasizes the possession of knowledge rather than the act of understanding.

To make perfect sense of

Uses an idiomatic expression focusing on clarity and sense-making.

To fathom completely

Replaces 'understand' with 'fathom' for a more literary and emphatic effect.

To have complete insight into

Focuses on gaining insight, which implies a deeper level of understanding than simple comprehension.

FAQs

What does "To completely understand" mean?

The phrase "To completely understand" means to fully grasp, comprehend, or make sense of something, leaving no room for ambiguity or misunderstanding. It implies a thorough and in-depth comprehension.

How can I use "To completely understand" in a sentence?

You can use "To completely understand" to introduce an explanation or analysis that requires thorough comprehension. For example, "To completely understand the theory, one must consider all underlying principles."

What are some alternatives to "To completely understand"?

Alternatives include "to fully grasp", "to thoroughly comprehend", or "to gain a complete understanding of", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "To completely understand" over "To understand"?

Use "To completely understand" when you want to emphasize the need for a deep, thorough comprehension of something complex. "To understand" is sufficient for simpler concepts.