are not fully understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not fully understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, phenomena, or situations that lack complete clarity or comprehension. Example: "The mechanisms behind climate change are not fully understood, which complicates efforts to address its impacts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, its mechanisms are not fully understood.

International Journal of Pharmaceutics

The dimensions of the Pakistani buildup are not fully understood.

The New York Times

The reproductive habits of Physalia are not fully understood.

Britannica

The mechanisms for this behavior are not fully understood.

Acta Materialia

However, the relationships involved are not fully understood.

Construction and Building Materials

Hearing mechanisms of the salamander are not fully understood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The evolutionary advantages are not fully understood, Dr. Pell said.

The New York Times - Science

Vast regions of the genome are not fully understood.

The New York Times - Arts

However, the mechanisms controlling DLG1 transcription are not fully understood.

Gene

The reasons for this are not fully understood.

Australian Critical Care

The preoperative determinants of shunting efficacy are not fully understood.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not fully understood", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspects are lacking understanding. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "are not fully understood" when there is substantial evidence or research available on a topic. Instead, acknowledge existing knowledge while highlighting areas where further investigation is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not fully understood" functions as a qualifier, indicating a degree of uncertainty or incomplete knowledge. It's used to acknowledge that while some aspects of a topic may be known, complete comprehension is lacking. Ludwig AI supports this function with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

77%

News & Media

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not fully understood" is a versatile qualifier used to express incomplete knowledge or a lack of comprehensive understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "are not entirely understood" and "remain enigmatic" offer nuanced variations, the core function remains consistent: to acknowledge the limits of current understanding and invite further exploration. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific context and avoid overstating the uncertainty, ensuring clarity and intellectual honesty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not wholly understood

Replaces "fully" with "wholly", indicating a similar level of incompleteness in understanding.

are not entirely understood

Substitutes "fully" with "entirely", implying that understanding is lacking in some aspects.

are not completely understood

Uses "completely" instead of "fully", suggesting a lack of total comprehension.

are not thoroughly understood

Emphasizes the lack of deep or exhaustive understanding, replacing "fully" with "thoroughly".

are not comprehensively understood

Highlights the absence of a broad or inclusive understanding, using "comprehensively" in place of "fully".

remain enigmatic

Expresses the idea that something is mysterious and not easily understood, changing the structure to a more concise form.

are poorly understood

Indicates a low level of understanding, substituting "not fully" with "poorly".

defy complete understanding

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of fully understanding something, altering the phrase structure significantly.

are subject to interpretation

Implies that understanding is variable and dependent on individual perspectives, shifting the focus from a lack of knowledge to subjective understanding.

are open to debate

Suggests that understanding is contested and unresolved, indicating a lack of consensus rather than a simple lack of knowledge.

FAQs

What does "are not fully understood" mean?

The phrase "are not fully understood" indicates that the details, mechanisms, or implications of a particular subject, phenomenon, or concept are not completely known or clear. It suggests that while some aspects may be understood, there are still significant gaps in knowledge.

How can I use "are not fully understood" in a sentence?

You can use "are not fully understood" to describe complex processes, scientific phenomena, or historical events. For instance, "The long-term effects of this medication "are not fully understood", requiring further research."

Which is a better way to say "are not fully understood"?

Alternatives to "are not fully understood" include phrases like "are not completely grasped", "are not entirely clear", or "remain enigmatic", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

What is the difference between "are not fully understood" and "are misunderstood"?

"Are not fully understood" implies a lack of complete knowledge or clarity, whereas "are misunderstood" suggests an incorrect or distorted perception. The former indicates a gap in understanding, while the latter indicates a faulty understanding.