an imprecise understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an imprecise understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lack of clarity or accuracy in someone's comprehension of a topic or concept. Example: "His explanation revealed an imprecise understanding of the scientific principles involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Incomplete or inadequate staging often leads to an imprecise understanding of the clinical conditions of the patient and hence to inappropriate or incomplete therapeutic planning.

Surgical Clinics of North America

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Despite the appeals court's finding that the law applied even in early pregnancy, this depiction has an undoubted political resonance because it comports with the popular, if imprecise, understanding of the imprecise term "partial-birth abortion".

The New York Times

Deep concern among parents about the effects of concussions is colliding with the imprecise understanding of the injury.

The New York Times - Sports

And in addition, epistemological ambiguities reside in the very notion of 'agent' or 'agency' in consideration of the imprecise understanding of personal identity or notions of self-consciousness underlying such constructions: (1) what exactly is acting and (2) is any given action done by an agent or to an agent?

SEP

In addition to an imprecise assessment of physician numbers, one economic observation and another geopolitical fact complicate our understanding of the dynamics of physicians practice.

Human Resources for Health

It is an imprecise analogy.

The New York Times

"We know it is an imprecise system.

The New York Times

Risk assessment is an imprecise art.

The Guardian

DOING the arithmetic is an imprecise venture.

The New York Times

"It's an imprecise thing," Mr. Bewkes said.

The New York Times

There was only an imprecise emotional surfeit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics or situations where complete accuracy is crucial, consider pairing "an imprecise understanding" with suggestions for improvement or further investigation. This approach demonstrates a balanced and constructive critique.

Common error

Avoid using "an imprecise understanding" when the situation calls for stronger terms like "misunderstanding" or "complete ignorance". Ensure that the degree of imprecision aligns with the context; otherwise, you risk undermining your message with understatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an imprecise understanding" functions as a noun phrase that describes the quality of someone's comprehension. As Ludwig AI explains, it highlights a lack of exactness or clarity in their knowledge or grasp of a subject. It commonly appears as the object of verbs like 'reveal' or 'lead to'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an imprecise understanding" is a valid and usable phrase in English, denoting a lack of complete clarity or accuracy in someone's comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides context through real-world examples, mainly in news and scientific articles. While not an extremely frequent phrase, it serves a useful purpose in identifying areas where further clarification or refinement of knowledge is needed. To enrich your writing, consider alternatives like "a vague understanding" or "a flawed grasp", ensuring the selected phrase aligns precisely with the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vague understanding

Replaces "imprecise" with a more general term for lack of clarity.

an unclear comprehension

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the comprehension.

a flawed grasp

Highlights the presence of errors in the understanding.

an imperfect knowledge

Emphasizes the incompleteness or deficiency of the knowledge.

a rudimentary understanding

Suggests a basic or initial level of comprehension.

an incomplete grasp

Highlights the incompleteness of the comprehension.

a superficial understanding

Indicates a lack of depth in the understanding.

a shaky comprehension

Implies instability or uncertainty in the understanding.

a muddled understanding

Suggests confusion or lack of clarity in the understanding.

a distorted comprehension

Highlights inaccuracies or misinterpretations in the understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "an imprecise understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "an imprecise understanding" to describe someone's comprehension that is not fully accurate or clear. For example, "His explanation revealed "an imprecise understanding" of the scientific principles involved."

What can I say instead of "an imprecise understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "a vague understanding", "an unclear comprehension", or "a flawed grasp" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "an imprecise understanding" and "a misunderstanding"?

"An imprecise understanding" suggests a lack of complete accuracy or clarity, whereas "a misunderstanding" implies a complete failure to understand correctly. The former is a matter of degree, while the latter is a matter of kind.

Is it always negative to have "an imprecise understanding"?

Not necessarily. While it indicates a need for improvement, having "an imprecise understanding" can be a starting point for further learning and exploration. It's often a natural stage in the process of acquiring knowledge.