fully know how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fully know how" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing complete understanding or mastery of a particular skill or process, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "I don't fully know how to operate this machine yet, but I'm learning."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

They also do not fully know how it hurts whales.

The New York Times

That those to whom we feel closest will never fully know how much we care for them?

The New Yorker

Only Strauss and Andy Flower fully know how draining it has been, for only they are in possession of all the facts.

The Guardian - Sport

"Just as we don't have enough evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of prevention programs, we don't fully know how to allocate resources among interventions in the most efficient manner," Dr. Frenk said.

The New York Times - Health

"The answer is that, right now, we don't fully know how this governance could work, so the research will look at different type of models the developers can use".

The Guardian

In another instance, Facebook's mass closing of what it described as "fake accounts" ahead of, for example, the UK and French elections can also look problematic, in democratic terms, because we don't fully know how it identified the particular "tens of thousands" of accounts to close.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It is not fully known how this era has shaped America's younger Muslims.

The New York Times

It is not fully known how high blood pressure affects people in these age groups, although some experts speculate it may contribute to early artery and heart damage.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Millions of African children are having to grow up under harsh and adverse psychosocial conditions characterized by chronic war trauma, chronic poverty, HIV infection, orphan hood, child abuse and neglect, food insecurity and famine [ 1- 4], but it's not fully known how these conditions negatively impact on childhood mental health including how they predispose to childhood depression.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Her reaction articulates as fully as I know how the exploitative nature of what has happened to her. "I really believe that the power and honesty of Sophie Okonedo's performance represents the profound trauma experienced by women in Maya's situation.

The Guardian

What's more, regulators do not fully know just how much of a risk derivatives tied to European banks pose for American firms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fully know how", consider whether a more direct verb like "understand" or "comprehend" might be clearer and more concise. For example, instead of saying "I don't fully know how to operate this machine", you could say "I don't completely understand how to operate this machine yet".

Common error

Avoid using "fully know how" in formal or academic writing where a more sophisticated vocabulary is expected. Opt for terms like "thoroughly understand", "completely grasp", or "possess a comprehensive understanding" to enhance the formality and precision of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fully know how" functions as a verb phrase modifier, indicating the extent to which someone understands a process or skill. It suggests a complete and thorough understanding, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fully know how" is a commonly used expression to convey a complete understanding of a process or skill. While generally acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates that it is better to rephrase for clarity. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. Alternatives like "completely understand how" or "thoroughly grasp how" might offer more precision and formality. While it is functional in various contexts, careful consideration should be given to selecting stronger synonyms to improve writing style, particularly in professional or academic settings. Considering the prevalence of alternative suggestions, you can use these to enrich your vocabulary or avoid sounding repetitive. Overall, "fully know how" is usable, but not always the most optimal choice for expressing comprehensive understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely understand how

Emphasizes the depth of comprehension rather than the practical application.

thoroughly grasp how

Highlights a deep and comprehensive understanding of the process.

fully comprehend how

Focuses on the mental assimilation and understanding of the method.

master the art of

Implies a high level of skill and expertise in a particular area.

be proficient in

Highlights competence and skill in performing a specific task.

have a firm grasp on

Indicates a solid and confident understanding of the subject.

be well-versed in

Suggests extensive knowledge and experience in a particular field.

be intimately familiar with

Emphasizes a close and detailed knowledge of the process.

have complete command of

Implies a high degree of control and mastery over the subject.

possess a comprehensive understanding of

Focuses on having a broad and complete knowledge base.

FAQs

How can I use "fully know how" in a sentence?

You can use "fully know how" to express a complete understanding of a process or skill. For example, "I don't "fully know how" to bake a cake, but I'm learning."

What can I say instead of "fully know how"?

You can use alternatives like "completely understand how", "thoroughly grasp how", or "fully comprehend how" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fully know how" or "completely know how"?

Both ""fully know how"" and "completely know how" are acceptable, but "completely know how" might sound more natural to some speakers. It's often better to use "completely understand how" or similar alternatives for clarity.

What's the difference between "fully know how" and "partially know how"?

"Fully know how" implies a complete and thorough understanding, while "partially know how" suggests a limited or incomplete understanding of a process or skill.