as presently understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as presently understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the current interpretation or comprehension of a concept, idea, or situation. Example: "The terms of the agreement are as presently understood by both parties, and any changes will need to be discussed further."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As presently understood, actin filaments grow from membranes at specific nucleation sites.

BMC Systems Biology

This class, as presently understood is monophyletic and includes 15 currently recognized extant genera (some still unnamed) (Sutherland et al. 2011).

AoB PLANTS

Pathway 'walks' mediated by the unique pathway ontology identifier and global connectivity views provided by the pathway suites allow users to explore the range of relationships between various types of pathways while the individual diagrams offer the picture of the molecular underpinnings of a particular pathway as presently understood.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The presence of water on Mars is considered a critical issue because life as it is presently understood cannot exist without water.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The processes of evolution, as they are presently understood, can help explain why wheeled locomotion has not evolved in multicellular organisms; simply put, a complex structure or system will not evolve if its incomplete form provides no benefit to the organism.

Wikipedia

"Antimodernism," as Zavarzadeh termed it -- foreshadowing Damiani's use of the Hegelian term "antithesis" -- is postmodernism as we presently understand it.

Huffington Post

"Although our results show small effects of DBP on germ cells in the human fetal testis, none of these effects are directly relevant to the origins of testis germ cell cancer insofar as we presently understand this," says study coauthor Sander van den Driesche, a senior postdoctoral fellow at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health in Edinburgh.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Computerized technology promises to assist in deciphering other languages not presently understood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These rate-controlling processes are not presently understood.

Acta Materialia

The reason for this variability is not presently understood.

Plosone

Thus we do not presently understand the functional relevance and consequences of ALK signalling in ALK-positive IMT.

Biochemical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as presently understood" to preface statements that are subject to change with new information or discoveries. This acknowledges the evolving nature of knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "as presently understood" when referring to well-established facts or theories. It's best used when acknowledging that the current understanding is provisional or incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as presently understood" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the current state of knowledge or comprehension. Ludwig AI highlights its usage in scientific and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as presently understood" serves to qualify statements, acknowledging that current understanding is provisional and subject to change. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. While relatively rare, it appears mainly in science, news media, and encyclopedias, reflecting a neutral to formal register. Alternatives like "as currently understood" offer similar meanings, but "as presently understood" specifically highlights the temporary nature of the comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as currently understood

Replaces "presently" with "currently", emphasizing the immediate timeframe of understanding.

as now understood

Uses "now" instead of "presently", highlighting the understanding at this specific moment.

as it is understood today

Specifies "today" for clarity, emphasizing the contemporary nature of the understanding.

according to current understanding

Changes the structure to focus on "understanding" as the subject, making it more formal.

based on present knowledge

Shifts the emphasis to "knowledge" rather than "understanding", highlighting the factual basis.

given our current knowledge

Introduces a conditional tone, acknowledging that understanding is limited by current knowledge.

in light of current information

Emphasizes the role of "information" in shaping the current understanding.

as we currently see it

Adds a subjective viewpoint, indicating a particular perspective on the understanding.

as things stand now

Expresses the idea in terms of the current situation or state of affairs.

in the current state of knowledge

Phrases the understanding within the context of the overall state of knowledge in a field.

FAQs

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

You can use "as presently understood" to introduce a concept or idea that is subject to change or refinement based on new information. For example, "The mechanism of action, "as presently understood", involves a complex interaction of several proteins."

What does "as presently understood" mean?

The phrase "as presently understood" means according to the current state of knowledge or comprehension. It implies that the understanding may evolve or change over time as new information becomes available.

Which is correct: "as presently understood" or "as currently understood"?

Both "as presently understood" and "as currently understood" are correct and largely interchangeable. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What are some alternatives to "as presently understood"?

Some alternatives to "as presently understood" include "as now understood", "according to current understanding", or "based on present knowledge". The best alternative depends on the specific context and desired nuance.