have a complete understanding of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have a complete understanding of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate that you are completely informed and familiar with a certain topic or concept. For example, "I have a complete understanding of the accounting process."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To understand transcriptional regulation better, it is therefore essential to have a complete understanding of the mechanistic way in which this search process takes place.

BMC Systems Biology

Do we need to have a complete understanding of why we went to war there?

The New York Times

In the story, you, too, have a complete understanding of those signifiers.

The New Yorker

Agency officials didn't have a "complete understanding" of Clinton's email practices, the official said.

The Washington Post

While much work remains before we have a complete understanding of altruistic suicide, it is well worth the effort.

Nature

The objective is to have a complete understanding of the composition of the asteroid's surface and any variability.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"You have to have a complete understanding of the industry and you have to know that you can't put some product lines next to each other".

The New York Times

"I don't think we have a complete understanding of what the long-term costs and benefits and physical sustainability are," he replied.

The New Yorker

The fact that the value of most cities' public assets exceeds their public debt has been overlooked, because governments seldom have a complete understanding of their portfolio.

The Guardian

Yu explained that, in Chinese culture, it is believed that one must look at two sides of a concept to have a complete understanding of it.

Cornell University

"What he said demonstrated that he does not have a complete understanding of the nature and harm of sexual abuse against children of all ages," NOW's Chicago vice president, Catherine Caporusso Hartman, said in an interview.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, ensure that readers "have a complete understanding of" key concepts before introducing advanced topics. This builds a strong foundation for comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "have a complete understanding of" when your knowledge is still developing. Instead, opt for phrases like "working towards a complete understanding of" to acknowledge ongoing learning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have a complete understanding of" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the possession of comprehensive knowledge or comprehension. It is often used to express a requirement or goal, suggesting that a thorough grasp of a subject is necessary. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

39%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have a complete understanding of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies possessing comprehensive knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, especially in science, news, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure your claim of understanding is accurate and supported by evidence. Consider alternative phrases like "possess a thorough grasp of" or "fully comprehend" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possess a thorough grasp of

This alternative emphasizes the depth and completeness of one's understanding.

have a comprehensive knowledge of

This alternative focuses on the breadth and extent of the knowledge.

fully comprehend

This alternative is more concise and emphasizes the act of understanding completely.

gain a full appreciation of

This alternative suggests developing a deeper, more nuanced understanding over time.

have a firm command of

This alternative suggests a high level of skill and control due to one's understanding.

be well-versed in

This alternative implies extensive knowledge and experience with a subject.

have a mastery of

This alternative denotes exceptional skill and comprehensive knowledge.

demonstrate a deep insight into

This alternative highlights the ability to perceive the underlying nature of something.

be intimately familiar with

This alternative suggests a close, personal, and detailed knowledge.

have a complete handle on

This alternative suggests a practical, working knowledge and control of something.

FAQs

How can I use "have a complete understanding of" in a sentence?

Use "have a complete understanding of" to indicate thorough knowledge. For example, "Scientists must "have a complete understanding of" the data before drawing conclusions."

What are some alternatives to "have a complete understanding of"?

Alternatives include "possess a thorough grasp of", "have a comprehensive knowledge of", or "fully comprehend", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "have a complete understanding of" or "understand completely"?

"Have a complete understanding of" emphasizes the depth of knowledge. "Understand completely" focuses more on the act of comprehension. Choose the phrasing that best fits your intended emphasis.

What does it mean to "have a complete understanding of" something?

To ""have a complete understanding of"" something means to possess a thorough, comprehensive, and nuanced knowledge of the subject, including its details, implications, and underlying principles.