be partially understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be partially understandable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is not fully clear or comprehensible but has some level of clarity. Example: "The instructions were poorly written, making them only partially understandable to the readers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This may be partially understandable, however.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The falloff in support for the peace process is partially understandable.

The New York Times

Can express a main point or make a brief statement when prompted, in a way that is partially understandable.

Language Testing in Asia

This bias is partially understandable given the epidemiology of injecting drug use, which is predominantly engaged in by men, and a relatively efficient route of HIV transmission.

BMC Public Health

But he noted that this effort was partially fuelled by a "genuine and understandable desire" to improve standards for children from an ethnic minority group that had long been poorly served by education in the city.

The Guardian

It is partially valid.

The New York Times

"It's partially science, partially art".

Forbes

But the missed tackles that allowed Garreth Carvell, Richie Mathers, Michael Monaghan and Chris Bridge to score were at least partially understandable given the exuberance of Warrington's approach play.

The Guardian - Sport

That would be understandable.

The New Yorker

This can be understandable.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

That's certainly understandable.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be partially understandable", ensure the context clarifies what aspects are understandable and what aspects remain unclear to avoid ambiguity. For example: "While the broad strategy may "be partially understandable", the specific tactics require further explanation."

Common error

Avoid using "be partially understandable" when something is almost entirely incomprehensible. Opt for phrases like "largely unclear" or "mostly incomprehensible" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be partially understandable" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the degree to which something can be understood. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be partially understandable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey that something is comprehensible to some extent, but not completely. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what aspects are understandable and what aspects are unclear to avoid ambiguity. While "be partially understandable" is generally acceptable, consider alternatives like ""be somewhat comprehensible"" or ""be partly clear"" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be somewhat comprehensible

Indicates a degree of understanding, but not complete clarity.

be partly clear

Focuses on the clarity aspect of understanding, suggesting it's only clear in certain parts.

be understandable to some extent

More explicitly states the limited degree of understandability.

be partially clear

Replaces "understandable" with "clear", maintaining a similar meaning.

be not entirely incomprehensible

Uses a double negative to express partial understandability.

be understandable in part

Emphasizes that only a portion is understandable.

be half-understood

Implies an incomplete or imperfect comprehension.

be dimly perceived

Focuses on perception rather than complete understanding, suggesting a vague comprehension.

be vaguely understood

Similar to "dimly perceived", indicating an unclear understanding.

be imperfectly understood

Highlights the imperfection and incompleteness of the understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "be partially understandable" in a sentence?

You can use "be partially understandable" to describe something that is not fully clear but has some comprehensible elements. For example: "The instructions were complex, making them only "be partially understandable"."

What are some alternatives to "be partially understandable"?

Alternatives include "be somewhat comprehensible", "be partly clear", or "be understandable to some extent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "partially understandable" or "partly understandable"?

Both "partially understandable" and "partly understandable" are correct. "Partially" implies "to some degree", while "partly" means "in some part". They are often interchangeable, but "partially" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "be partially understandable" and "be completely understandable"?

"Be partially understandable" means something is comprehensible to some degree but not entirely, while "be completely understandable" indicates full comprehension without ambiguity.