definitely understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitely understanding" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a strong sense of comprehension, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "I am definitely understanding the concepts discussed in class."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"They're definitely understanding that the younger audience is coming into YouTube," Stampy creator Joseph Garrett told the Guardian in an interview.

The Guardian - Tech

"They're definitely understanding that the younger audience is coming into YouTube, and now they have the YouTube Kids app, where Wonder Quest is hopefully going to have a big presence.

The Guardian - Tech

"We're changing the way we play a little bit, so there's kind of a little bit of a learning period... but we're definitely understanding it slowly.

Los Angeles Times

But later, she said: "They were definitely understanding of that.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If your mother or guardian is understanding and direct as well, she will most definitely understand.

WikiHow

There is something to be said about having a scientific background, though: it definitely helps in understanding the world around us, and feeds into some meaty debates such as religion – where it's clear that many atheists have little knowledge of science yet an almost god-like belief it can answer all the big questions (Richard Dawkins as the new messiah).

The Guardian - Opinion

"Older folks feel like the young people have it all figured out, but knowing how to use something technically is definitely different to understanding the complications of using or not using certain platforms, the pressures of using or not using them.

Vice

It was definitely not, and understanding it in detail may be one of the most difficult problems in cell evolution.

Biology Direct

To summarize, our analysis established a link between human phenotypic disease network and protein evolution, which will definitely help in understanding human monogenic disease etiology and the underlying mechanism of disease progressions from a single gene.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Peer educators and community leaders reported that if even they, in spite of their long-term experience "in the field of HIV", found it difficult to understand the concept of placebo, then MSM from the "grassroots level" would definitely have difficulty in understanding it.

BMC Public Health

"There's definitely an understanding in each school as to which teachers can be relied upon to pull off a good Ofsted observation.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "definitely understanding" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "clearly understand" or "certainly comprehend" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

The phrase "definitely understanding" uses a present participle after an adverb, which is grammatically unconventional. To correct this, use a base verb like "definitely understand" or replace it with a more appropriate phrase like "clearly understand."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely understanding" attempts to function as an adverbial modifier followed by a present participle, aiming to express a strong certainty about comprehension. However, this construction is grammatically unconventional and, as Ludwig AI suggests, it is not considered standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "definitely understanding" might seem like a straightforward way to express certainty about comprehension, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, it is not a standard expression in written English. Although it appears in some contexts, particularly News & Media and Science, it's best to opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "definitely understand", "clearly understand", or "certainly comprehend". Using such alternatives will enhance clarity and ensure your writing adheres to standard English conventions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly understanding

Replaces "definitely" with a synonym, maintaining a similar level of certainty.

absolutely understanding

Emphasizes the understanding more strongly than the original phrase.

clearly understanding

Focuses on the clarity of comprehension, rather than the certainty.

truly understanding

Highlights the genuineness of the understanding.

completely understanding

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the comprehension.

genuinely understanding

Similar to 'truly understanding', stressing the sincerity of comprehension.

fully understanding

Indicates a complete and comprehensive grasp of the subject.

definitely comprehending

Replaces "understanding" with a synonym, but the structure remains awkward.

without a doubt understanding

Adds a more emphatic assertion of certainty.

undeniably understanding

Suggests that the understanding is so clear as to be impossible to deny.

FAQs

What's wrong with the phrase "definitely understanding"?

The phrase "definitely understanding" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use "definitely understand" or other alternatives that clearly convey comprehension.

What can I say instead of "definitely understanding"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly understanding", "fully understanding", or phrases like "definitely understand" or "certainly comprehend".

Which is correct, "definitely understanding" or "definitely understand"?

"Definitely understand" is the grammatically correct choice. "Definitely understanding" is not standard English.

How can I improve my sentence that uses "definitely understanding"?

Replace "definitely understanding" with a grammatically correct alternative, such as "definitely understand", "clearly understand", or "certainly comprehend", depending on the context.