as currently understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as currently understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that the understanding of a concept or situation is based on the present knowledge or interpretation. Example: "The policy, as currently understood, allows for flexibility in implementation depending on the circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The host pathogenic interaction, as currently understood, is intriguing, and may distinguish Z. tritici from many of the current models for plant pathogenic fungi.

Fungal Genetics and Biology

As currently understood, syllogistic comprises two domains of investigation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As currently understood, the First Amendment protects media producers, but not media consumers.

MIT Technology Review

As currently understood, Wnt proteins bind to receptors of the Frizzled and LRP families on the cell surface.

Stanford University

Despite rising importance on the corporate agenda, sustainability —as currently understood and measured — interests only a small niche of investors.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Despite rising importance on the corporate agenda, sustainability — at least as currently understood and measured — interests only a small niche of investors.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

"The will of the people, as very currently understood, is plain," he wrote.

The Washington Post

An additional concern is that trial participants had no clear diagnosis of sexual disorder as is currently understood.

EBioMedicine

I think we'd have to recontextualise that decade – the decade that saw Britain reborn – as a weird one off, a strange moment to be regretted and NOT, as it's currently understood, as the beginning of a long drive towards the righteous liberal party state called The United Kingdom.

Vice

That's the tough lesson of evolution and biology, at least as far as we currently understand it.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

As this is currently understood only for 2D images, we treat θmin as a user specified parameter.

Bioinformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as currently understood" to frame statements that may be subject to change with new information or discoveries. It acknowledges the evolving nature of knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "as currently understood" when discussing well-established facts or theories that are unlikely to be disproven. It's best suited for areas where understanding is still developing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as currently understood" functions as a qualifier, adding a nuance of tentativeness or provisionality to a statement. It acknowledges that present knowledge is subject to revision, as supported by Ludwig's examples. It prepares the audience for potential changes in understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

Academia

24%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as currently understood" is a versatile qualifier used to indicate that a statement reflects the present state of knowledge and is subject to change. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, including science, academia, and news. It's especially useful in contexts where knowledge is evolving, and certainty is limited. Alternatives include "as presently understood" or "according to current thinking". Use it to demonstrate humility and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as presently understood

Replaces "currently" with "presently", emphasizing the immediacy of the understanding.

given our current understanding

Sets the understanding as a premise for further discussion.

according to current thinking

Emphasizes the thought processes and prevailing opinions of experts.

as it is now known

Focuses on the knowledge aspect, highlighting the information that is currently available.

in the present state of knowledge

Formal and highlights the limitations of current understanding.

in light of current evidence

Emphasizes that conclusions are subject to the existing proof or data.

as things stand

Uses an idiom to convey the current situation or state of affairs.

with the benefit of current knowledge

Highlights that new understanding resulted from what we know now.

based on what we know now

More informal, focusing on the information currently possessed.

at this point in time

Highlights that our understanding can change over the course of time.

FAQs

How can I use "as currently understood" in a sentence?

You can use "as currently understood" to qualify a statement that reflects the present state of knowledge, acknowledging potential future revisions. For example, "The process, "as currently understood", involves several key steps."

What phrases are similar to "as currently understood"?

Similar phrases include "as presently understood", "as things stand", or "according to current thinking". These alternatives all convey a sense of present knowledge that may evolve.

Is it always necessary to use "as currently understood" when presenting information?

No, it is not always necessary. Use "as currently understood" when you want to emphasize that the information is based on the present state of knowledge and could be subject to change.

What is the difference between "as currently understood" and "as definitively proven"?

"As currently understood" implies that the knowledge is based on current interpretations and could evolve, while "as definitively proven" suggests that the information has been thoroughly tested and verified.