comprehended how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comprehended how" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the understanding of a process, concept, or situation. Example: "After several discussions, I finally comprehended how the new software operates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I hadn't really comprehended how significant it was going to be for the film," he said.

Independent

For the first time in my life I comprehended how wonderful birds were".

The Guardian

The awful events of Sept. 11, 2001, declared a war we were vaguely aware of, but hadn't really comprehended how near the threat was, and how terrible were the plans of our enemies.

The New York Times

I let the tears stream down my face as I comprehended how magnificent that statement truly is.

Huffington Post

"I don't think anyone on our side understood or comprehended how good their turnout was going to be," said Henry Barbour, a Republican committee man from Mississippi.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Still can't comprehend how Sweden is in second spot.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He said: "People don't comprehend how huge they are globally; they've broken South America.

Independent

"I find it hard to comprehend how good she is," Williams said.

The New York Times - Sports

Many could not comprehend how they failed to prevent such avoidable, self-inflicted wounds.

The New York Times

"But they don't comprehend how much work it is to build from scratch.

The New York Times

Nicolas Sarkozy of France struggles to comprehend how and why his voters' enthusiasm has evaporated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "comprehended how" when you want to emphasize a past moment of understanding, especially after a period of confusion or lack of awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "comprehended how" in simple sentences where "understood how" would suffice. "Comprehended" can sound overly formal or complex in everyday language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comprehended how" functions as a part of a clause, typically within a larger sentence, to indicate the act of understanding or grasping a concept or situation. It often introduces an explanation or realization about something, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comprehended how" is a grammatically correct way to express understanding, particularly in retrospect. While Ludwig indicates its usage is relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. For less formal situations, consider using alternatives like "understood how" or "grasped how". Be mindful of the level of formality required and the potential for simpler phrasing to achieve clarity without sounding overly complex.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understood how

A more common and direct synonym, implying a clear grasp of something.

grasped how

Similar to "understood how", but suggests a more intuitive understanding.

discerned how

Implies a careful and insightful understanding, often involving some effort to uncover the truth.

realized how

Focuses on the moment of becoming aware or understanding something.

recognized how

Emphasizes the identification and acknowledgement of a particular pattern or truth.

became aware of how

Highlights the process of gaining awareness or understanding.

appreciated how

Suggests an understanding that includes a sense of value or importance.

fathomed how

Implies a deep and often challenging process of understanding something complex.

figured out how

Indicates a problem-solving approach to understanding.

deciphered how

Suggests the understanding of something cryptic or unclear.

FAQs

How can I use "comprehended how" in a sentence?

You can use "comprehended how" to describe a past realization or understanding. For example: "I hadn't really "comprehended how" significant it was going to be for the film."

What is a simpler alternative to "comprehended how"?

A simpler and more common alternative is "understood how". It conveys the same basic meaning with less formality.

When should I use "comprehended how" instead of "understood how"?

"Comprehended how" is suitable when emphasizing a more profound or delayed understanding, whereas "understood how" is generally applicable and less formal.

Is "comprehended how" more formal than "grasped how"?

Yes, "comprehended how" tends to be more formal than "grasped how", which implies a quicker, more intuitive understanding.