incompletely grasped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incompletely grasped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has not fully understood or comprehended a concept or idea. Example: "The theory was so complex that it was often incompletely grasped by students during the lecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He grasped the time.

The New York Times - Sports

Ed Miliband grasped this point.

Independent

Ancient readers readily grasped this.

The New Yorker

"I never grasped my limbs.

The New York Times

Their defenders grasped at air.

The New York Times - Sports

Aliya grasped the concept instantly.

The New York Times

He grasped the steering wheel.

The New Yorker

García grasped the trophy tightly.

The New York Times - Sports

Viewers quickly grasped the significance.

The New York Times

She grasped for words.

Forbes

Grasped a difficult concept?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incompletely grasped", consider whether a more common synonym like "partially understood" would improve clarity for your audience.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "incompletely grasped" can sound overly formal in casual conversation; opt for simpler phrasing like "didn't fully get it" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incompletely grasped" functions as an adverb-participle construction, modifying a noun and indicating the state of something that has not been fully understood or apprehended. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

29%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

21%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incompletely grasped" is a grammatically sound way to express that something is not fully understood. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While "incompletely grasped" is valid, it is relatively infrequent and tends to appear in more formal contexts, such as academic, scientific, or news-related writing. Therefore, when aiming for clarity or in less formal situations, consider using more common alternatives like "partially understood" or "not fully comprehended".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially understood

Focuses on the incomplete aspect of understanding, without necessarily implying any effort to grasp.

not fully comprehended

Emphasizes a lack of complete comprehension, a more formal alternative.

imperfectly understood

Highlights the imperfection or incompleteness in understanding.

partially assimilated

Suggests that the information has been taken in, but not fully integrated.

vaguely apprehended

Implies a faint or indistinct understanding.

tenuously grasped

Conveys a weak or uncertain understanding.

superficially understood

Indicates an understanding that lacks depth or thoroughness.

not entirely appreciated

Focuses on a lack of full appreciation rather than explicit understanding.

haltingly apprehended

Suggests a hesitant or incomplete understanding.

fragmentarily understood

Highlights that only pieces of something are understood.

FAQs

What does "incompletely grasped" mean?

The phrase "incompletely grasped" means something is not fully understood or comprehended. It suggests a partial understanding rather than a complete one.

What are some alternatives to "incompletely grasped"?

Alternatives include "partially understood", "not fully comprehended", or "imperfectly understood". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "incompletely grasped" formal or informal?

The phrase "incompletely grasped" leans toward the formal side. In more casual settings, phrases like "didn't fully get it" or "sort of understood" might be more appropriate.

How can I use "incompletely grasped" in a sentence?

Example: "The complex theory was often "incompletely grasped" by students during the lecture."