completely grasp

USAGE SUMMARY

"completely grasp" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to understand or comprehend something fully and completely. Example: After going over the instructions multiple times, I finally was able to completely grasp the task at hand.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Like all categories, this one can't hope to completely grasp the ever-changing reality of the explosive new writing scene".

The Guardian

These relations were sometimes regarded as so complex that no human mind could completely grasp them; thus, the astrologer might be readily excused for any errors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As an American ingénue gallivanting around a Europe whose ritualized manners she can't completely grasp, Beth is walking in the footsteps of Daisy Miller and Isabel Archer.

The New York Times - Books

Not everyone will completely grasp the meaning of the sculptures of Richard Deacon but that's all right, the artist has said on the eve of a retrospective of his work at Tate Britain.

The Guardian - Arts

Steve Schuster, founder of Schuster Products in Milwaukee, maker of Blitz mints: "Ms. Rosshandler finds herself in a precarious cash-flow position and — typical of many start-up entrepreneurs — may not completely grasp how much money she actually will need to grow her brand to a reasonable level of distribution.

The New York Times

WHAT OTHERS SAY Steve Schuster, founder of Schuster Products in Milwaukee, maker of Blitz mints: "Ms. Rosshandler finds herself in a precarious cash-flow position and — typical of many start-up entrepreneurs — may not completely grasp how much money she actually will need to grow her brand to a reasonable level of distribution.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But paying attention to the stock market is not the same as completely grasping what it is and what it means.

The New York Times

After class, Krystal Bautista, 18, who said she wanted to go to law school and become a criminal prosecutor, admitted that before attending the workshop, she had not completely grasped how credit cards worked.

The New York Times

At age 12, he told the pastor of another Adventist church in the Detroit suburb of Inkster, that he hadn't completely grasped his first baptism and wanted to be baptized again.

The Washington Post

The applications are usually technically complex and allow for a tester to fall back onto a shallow dive into a feature, if they haven't completely grasped the concept.

The Guardian

I assumed New Labour's talk of community meant it wasn't interested in making war on the working class, and wasn't in thrall to the neoliberal vision of man – an atomised individual whose motivations could be completely grasped by economic notions of value.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely grasp" when you want to emphasize not just understanding, but also the act of seizing or taking hold of an idea or concept, suggesting a firm and thorough comprehension.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "completely grasp" might sound slightly formal in very casual conversations. In such settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "fully understand" or "totally get it" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely grasp" functions as a verb phrase, where "completely" modifies the verb "grasp". It describes the thoroughness or completeness of the action of understanding something. Ludwig AI provides examples across various contexts demonstrating its usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely grasp" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that signifies a thorough and comprehensive understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While suitable for various contexts, from news articles to academic papers, it's important to consider the audience and choose simpler alternatives for very informal settings. Remember, effectively using "completely grasp" means conveying not just understanding, but a firm hold on the subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully understand

Focuses more directly on the understanding aspect, omitting the "grasping" metaphor.

completely comprehend

Reorders the words but keeps the core meaning intact, emphasizing 'comprehend'.

comprehend fully

Uses a more formal verb, 'comprehend', to denote understanding completely.

totally understand

Emphasizes the totality of understanding using 'totally' as an intensifier.

entirely comprehend

Similar to 'comprehend fully', but uses 'entirely' to stress completeness.

thoroughly understand

Suggests a deep and detailed level of understanding.

absolutely understand

Highlights the certainty and completeness of understanding.

get a full understanding

Shifts the focus to acquiring a complete understanding, rather than the act of grasping.

fully appreciate

Implies a deeper understanding that includes an emotional or evaluative component.

totally digest

Uses 'digest' metaphorically to mean understanding and internalizing information completely.

FAQs

How can I use "completely grasp" in a sentence?

You can use "completely grasp" to indicate a full understanding of something, as in: "After the lecture, I could finally completely grasp the theory."

What are some alternatives to "completely grasp"?

You can use alternatives like "fully understand", "comprehend fully", or "totally understand" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "completely understand" or "completely grasp"?

"Completely understand" is more direct and straightforward. "Completely grasp" implies a more active and thorough taking hold of the concept. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "completely grasp" something?

To "completely grasp" something means to fully understand it, internalize it, and be able to apply it effectively. It suggests a strong command of the subject matter.