incomplete understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

'incomplete understanding' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a lack of full understanding of a subject, meaning that a person does not grasp the concept or idea entirely. For example, "My incomplete understanding of the topic has made it difficult to come to a conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even so, their incomplete understanding of simple eternity meant that they did not really understand what they proved.

SEP

When it comes to new technologies, incomplete understanding is empowering.

The New Yorker

Geneticists obviously have an incomplete understanding of how genes interact.

Nature

It creates an incomplete understanding of what pastured poultry is.

Harvard University

At best, this suggestion demonstrates an incomplete understanding of the efforts under way across our nation.

The New York Times

But there has been an incomplete understanding by scholars of the composition process.

The Guardian - Books

Incomplete understanding of noise in transistors will soon impede efforts to make low-power chips.

MIT Technology Review

We also still have an incomplete understanding of how regulatory sequences are linked to target genes.

Nature

But the historians argue that this concern was based partly on an "incomplete" understanding of the Soviet experience in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

This may lead to incorrect and incomplete understanding of the PIII process and dynamics.

Surface and Coatings Technology

An incomplete understanding of diversity of today's eukaryotes results in incomplete evolutionary trees.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex topics, acknowledge your "incomplete understanding" upfront to manage expectations and invite further clarification from experts.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions when your understanding is "incomplete". Instead, frame your statements as tentative or preliminary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incomplete understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of deficient or partial comprehension. As Ludwig highlights, it's a grammatically correct and widely used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

25%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incomplete understanding" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes a lack of full comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous real-world examples. It's particularly common in scientific, academic, and news contexts. When using this phrase, acknowledge its limitations and avoid drawing firm conclusions based on it. Consider alternatives like "limited knowledge" or "partial grasp" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partial grasp

Emphasizes a limited or superficial comprehension, rather than a complete absence of understanding.

limited knowledge

Focuses on the quantity of information possessed, suggesting a lack of comprehensive information.

imperfect comprehension

Highlights the presence of flaws or inaccuracies in the understanding.

deficient insight

Emphasizes a lack of intuitive or perceptive understanding.

superficial acquaintance

Suggests a casual or surface-level familiarity, without deep knowledge.

flawed interpretation

Focuses on errors or inaccuracies in the way something is understood or explained.

sketchy knowledge

Implies a vague or incomplete understanding, lacking detail and precision.

rudimentary acquaintance

Emphasizes an early stage of learning and comprehension, indicating a basic but not fully developed understanding.

patchy awareness

Highlights inconsistent or uneven understanding, with gaps in knowledge.

gaps in knowledge

Focuses on specific areas where understanding is lacking or absent.

FAQs

How can I use "incomplete understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "incomplete understanding" to describe a situation where knowledge or comprehension is lacking. For example, "The project failed due to our "incomplete understanding" of the market dynamics."

What's a more formal way to say "incomplete understanding"?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "limited knowledge", "partial comprehension", or "deficient insight" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision.

What are some common consequences of having an "incomplete understanding"?

An "incomplete understanding" can lead to misinterpretations, poor decision-making, and ineffective problem-solving. Recognizing gaps in your knowledge is the first step to addressing them.

How does "incomplete understanding" differ from "misunderstanding"?

"Incomplete understanding" refers to a lack of full knowledge, while "misunderstanding" implies an incorrect interpretation. You might have an "incomplete understanding" of quantum physics, but a "misunderstanding" of your colleague's instructions.