completely understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely understanding" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically used to express a full grasp of a concept or situation, but it should be phrased as "completely understood" or "fully understanding" depending on the context. Example: "After reviewing the material, I feel completely understood the main concepts discussed in the lecture."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Most probably we can better understand about the evolution of fungal genome size by completely understanding the roles of noncoding DNAs.

Biological Procedures Online

But many developers create solutions without completely understanding the problem.

The Art of Designing Embedded Systems

In spite of all my mistakes, in spite of my not completely understanding what they say.

The New Yorker

— would be accepted for recycling, perhaps without completely understanding why they had to choose.

The New York Times - Science

Is it the two of them completely understanding each other and working together to mete out death?

The Guardian

By more completely understanding HRQOL issues, better treatment strategies may be chosen during informed decision-making.

Bladder Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

His amnesia does not prevent him completely from understanding what is going on around him but it will interfere with his ability to conduct his defense and to understand details of the past which would appear as factual data.

Yale University

Understanding Lincoln completely means understanding that he did, for example, publicly support a plan to send freed slaves back to Africa or elsewhere.

Huffington Post

He's completely patient and understanding.

Los Angeles Times

Both labels are completely apropos in understanding the rela­tionships among Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google.

HuffPost

Female teenagers had a very rough and tough road to becoming completely independent and understanding their true self.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision and clarity, it's best to opt for alternatives like "fully understanding" or "completely understood" as they align better with standard grammatical conventions. Using "completely understanding" can introduce ambiguity or be perceived as incorrect.

Common error

Avoid using "completely understanding" when the context requires a past participle or a clearer verb construction. For example, instead of saying 'He is completely understanding the situation', prefer 'He completely understands the situation' or 'He is fully understanding the situation'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely understanding" functions as a modifier, intending to describe the extent or degree of one's comprehension. However, it's often perceived as grammatically awkward, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, and requires careful usage to ensure clarity. Alternatives like "fully understanding" are often more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

58%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "completely understanding" is relatively common, it often presents grammatical issues and is regarded as incorrect by Ludwig AI. It aims to express a thorough grasp but is better conveyed through alternatives like "fully understanding" or "completely understood", depending on the intended meaning. Its usage spans across science, news media, and academic contexts, though a more formal construction is advisable for professional settings. Therefore, while its intent is clear, careful consideration of grammar and context is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully understanding

Emphasizes a state of complete comprehension, very close in meaning but more grammatically sound.

thoroughly understanding

Highlights the depth and extent of comprehension, suggesting a detailed grasp.

deeply understanding

Suggests a profound and insightful level of comprehension, going beyond surface-level knowledge.

comprehensively understanding

Implies understanding something in its entirety, covering all aspects and details.

perfectly understanding

Emphasizes flawlessness in understanding, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

entirely understanding

Similar to 'fully understanding', but can add a sense of exclusivity or totality.

wholly understanding

A more formal synonym for 'completely' or 'entirely' understanding.

grasped completely

Focuses on the act of 'grasping' a concept entirely, rather than a state of understanding.

fully grasped

Similar to "grasped completely" and indicates a complete and firm understanding.

completely grasped

Indicates that a concept or idea has been fully understood and internalized.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct alternative to "completely understanding"?

Alternatives like "fully understanding" or "completely understood" are grammatically sound. The best choice depends on the specific context of the sentence.

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

While not grammatically ideal, if you intend to use it, ensure the context still conveys clear meaning. However, consider using phrases like "fully grasped" or "thoroughly understanding" for greater accuracy.

Is there a difference between "completely understanding" and "fully understanding"?

While both aim to express a thorough grasp, "fully understanding" is generally preferred due to its adherence to standard English grammar. "Completely understanding" might be perceived as less formal or incorrect.

What does it mean to say I am "completely understanding" something?

It suggests that you believe you have a full and thorough comprehension of a topic. To express this more accurately, you could say, "I "fully understand"" or "I have completely understood" the concept.