fathom completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fathom completely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the understanding or comprehension of a concept, idea, or situation in its entirety. Example: "After hours of discussion, I finally began to fathom completely the complexities of the issue at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

So haute couture is changing, and in ways the old guard doesn't completely fathom.

The New York Times - Style

"He's got a natural animal instinct for how to play an audience, which is extraordinary," he said, adding that even after working with him closely, he still considered Mr. Gillen a person "who I wouldn't pretend to say I completely fathom".

The New York Times

He had retreated into that dark corner of his psyche from which the inevitable explosions came, a place neither friends nor family -- nor, for that matter, Ted himself -- ever completely fathomed.

The New York Times - Sports

The notion that we were completely over was hard to fathom due to my fatalistic tendencies: There is no one out there for me.

Vice

Looking back on my husband's life, thus far, as a father, businessman, husband, grandfather and pillar in the Chicago community, I cannot fathom how his son's values went completely astray.

Huffington Post

In the current season she is on the lam, living in motels; one of her three children is a murderer and possible psychopath; and other family members are turning to state-fair butter-eating contests in the hope of winning an R.V. A chronic underachiever who couldn't fathom the concept of legitimate employment, Nancy has completely lost the respect of her children.

The New York Times - Arts

Most midshipmen occur at depths of less than 50 fathoms (1 fathom equals 6 feet), and all are found in water shallower than 200 fathoms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The bill's original author, Alaska Delegate Bob Bartlett, spoke for many of the bill's proponents when he expressed his bafflement at the response that it had received: I am completely at a loss in attempting to fathom the reasons why certain individuals and certain groups have now started a letter-writing campaign … to defeat the act.

Wikipedia

It took my entire focus to keep from falling apart completely amid the intensity of labor; I couldn't fathom having to cope with an observer and medical checks as well.

The Guardian - Opinion

The teachers left that class completely unattended during recess and lunch, as if they couldn't fathom how any kid could get into trouble playing with those large calculating typewriters.

TechCrunch

"We cannot fathom why these guys would prefer marijuana cultivation and sales go back to being completely uncontrolled in Colorado.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fathom completely", ensure the context emphasizes a challenging or complex understanding that requires significant effort. For simpler scenarios, "fully understand" or "completely grasp" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "fathom completely" when a simpler, more direct phrase like "understand" or "get" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fathom completely" functions as a verb phrase that describes a thorough and comprehensive understanding. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. It suggests a deeper level of comprehension than simply "understand".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fathom completely" is grammatically sound but infrequently used. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It conveys a deep and comprehensive understanding, best suited for complex or challenging scenarios. While alternatives such as "fully understand" or "completely grasp" may be more common, using "fathom completely" is acceptable, especially in neutral or formal contexts to emphasize thorough comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully understand

Emphasizes a complete and thorough understanding, differing from "fathom completely" in its directness.

comprehend fully

Highlights the mental process of grasping something entirely, using a slightly more formal tone than "fathom completely".

completely grasp

Focuses on seizing or taking hold of an idea or concept in its entirety, inverting the order of words.

totally understand

Indicates a complete understanding, replacing "fathom" with the more common "understand".

entirely comprehend

Similar to "comprehend fully", but emphasizes the completeness of the understanding.

fully appreciate

Implies a complete understanding and valuing of something, adding an element of positive regard that "fathom completely" lacks.

completely realize

Focuses on becoming fully aware or conscious of something, shifting the emphasis from understanding to awareness.

entirely perceive

Emphasizes the complete sensory or intuitive understanding of something, offering a different nuance than "fathom completely".

completely discern

Highlights the ability to distinguish something clearly and entirely, suggesting a more analytical understanding.

fully decode

Suggests a complete understanding achieved through interpreting complex information, implying a higher degree of difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "fathom completely" when you want to emphasize a deep or challenging level of understanding. For example, "After weeks of research, I began to fathom completely the implications of the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "fathom completely"?

Alternatives include "fully understand", "comprehend fully", or "completely grasp". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "fathom completely" or "completely fathom"?

"Fathom completely" is the more common and natural-sounding order. "Completely fathom" isn't incorrect, but it's less idiomatic.

What's the difference between "fathom completely" and "fully appreciate"?

"Fathom completely" implies a thorough understanding, while "fully appreciate" suggests understanding combined with a sense of value or gratitude. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize comprehension alone or comprehension plus appreciation.