a complete understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

"a complete understanding" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express that something has been fully comprehended. For example: "I finally have a complete understanding of how this machine works."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Valentine said: "We had a complete understanding.

The New York Times - Sports

Develop a complete understanding of the system.

Harvard Business Review

She had a complete understanding of the signifiers.

The New Yorker

Bioengineers lack a complete understanding of what the organ does.

MIT Technology Review

His goal was a complete understanding of the universe.

The Guardian

You get a complete understanding of the brand".

The New York Times

He had a complete understanding and appreciation of exactly what was happening on the racecourse.

The Guardian - Sport

Do we need to have a complete understanding of why we went to war there?

The New York Times

A complete understanding of these last fewyears will be a challenge for journalists, politicalscientists, and historians.

The New York Times - Books

Today as much as ever Mr. Bergonzi has a complete understanding of vocal technique.

The New York Times

In the story, you, too, have a complete understanding of those signifiers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for "a complete understanding", break down complex topics into smaller, manageable parts. This allows for a more thorough and nuanced comprehension.

Common error

Avoid assuming that you or your audience has "a complete understanding" without actively verifying that all key aspects are truly comprehended. Use questions and summaries to confirm understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'gain a complete understanding') or as a complement to a noun (e.g., 'the goal is a complete understanding'). As Ludwig demonstrates, it describes the state of fully comprehending something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a complete understanding" signifies a comprehensive grasp of a subject and is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig. It sees frequent use across diverse domains like science, news, and business, denoting thorough comprehension. To enhance clarity, break down complex subjects and verify comprehension to avoid assumptions. Related phrases include "a thorough grasp" and "comprehensive knowledge". As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is well-established and appropriate in various contexts, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive knowledge

Emphasizes the breadth of information acquired.

a detailed comprehension

Highlights the level of detail understood.

a thorough grasp

Focuses on achieving a firm hold on the subject matter.

a deep-seated understanding

Suggests a firmly established understanding.

an exhaustive insight

Implies a deep and detailed level of perception.

a profound awareness

Stresses a deep level of consciousness and understanding.

an in-depth awareness

Highlights the depth of awareness achieved.

a full appreciation

Highlights the value and significance recognized.

a comprehensive overview

Emphasizes having a broad perspective.

a meticulous apprehension

Focuses on precise and careful understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "a complete understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "a complete understanding" to describe a thorough comprehension of a subject. For example: "It's crucial to have "a complete understanding" of the risks involved before investing."

What are some alternatives to saying "a complete understanding"?

Alternatives include "a thorough grasp", "a comprehensive knowledge", or "a full appreciation" depending on the context.

Is it possible to achieve "a complete understanding" of everything?

While striving for "a complete understanding" is admirable, it's often unrealistic due to the complexity and evolving nature of many subjects. Aim for a robust and nuanced understanding instead.

How does "a complete understanding" differ from "a basic understanding"?

"A complete understanding" implies a thorough and detailed comprehension, whereas "a basic understanding" suggests only a rudimentary knowledge of the subject.