intimately understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intimately understand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a deep or thorough comprehension of a subject, concept, or person. Example: "After years of research, she has come to intimately understand the complexities of human behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The Trumps intimately understand the importance of image.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our satisfaction comes from laying up a store of protein for the coming year — meat whose provenance we intimately understand.

The New York Times - Travel

When work doesn't pay, as more than 7 million UK families living in poverty intimately understand, you are simply a thing to be exploited.

The Guardian - Opinion

Angela Carter was not only unafraid of being "the only one in the room", she seemed to intimately understand that sometimes it is necessary to be this person so that one might begin to see clearly.

The Guardian - Books

Don't intimately understand your competition.

TechCrunch

You have to intimately understand the needs of your users.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

De Marigny intimately understands the local aesthetic.

The Guardian - Sport

What was once mysterious is now intimately understood.

The New York Times - Travel

"As a former prosecutor, Claire McCaskill has worked closely with hundreds of rape victims and intimately understands their trauma and pain.

The New York Times

Some of the plot turns don't quite make sense, but this is still a strong, bitter movie about a milieu that the director intimately understands.

The New Yorker

Social scientists are just beginning to document the rippling effects of multiple combat deployments on families — effects that those families themselves have intimately understood for years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intimately understand" when you want to emphasize a deep, personal, or experiential level of understanding, rather than a superficial awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "intimately understand" in highly formal or technical writing where a more neutral term like "comprehend" or "recognize" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intimately understand" functions as a verb phrase, where "intimately" modifies the verb "understand" to intensify the degree of comprehension. It indicates a deep and personal understanding, going beyond superficial knowledge. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase is used to describe understanding complex issues or personal experiences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intimately understand" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a deep, personal, and comprehensive level of comprehension. As supported by Ludwig's analysis, the phrase is mostly used in "News & Media", "Science" and "Formal & Business" contexts. While it is appropriate for many situations, avoid overuse in excessively formal or technical writing, where terms like "comprehend" or "recognize" might be preferable. Alternatives such as "deeply comprehend" and "thoroughly grasp" offer nuanced substitutions depending on the context. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for expressing profound understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehend fully

Highlights the completeness of the comprehension.

deeply comprehend

Emphasizes the depth of understanding.

thoroughly grasp

Highlights the completeness of understanding.

appreciate deeply

Emphasizes the value of understanding.

completely appreciate

Focuses on valuing and understanding the nuances.

fully recognize

Stresses acknowledgement and comprehension.

closely know

Implies understanding through familiarity and experience.

personally experience

Highlights firsthand knowledge and understanding.

intuitively grasp

Suggests an instinctive understanding.

profoundly perceive

Emphasizes the depth of perception and understanding.

FAQs

What does "intimately understand" mean?

The phrase "intimately understand" means to have a deep, personal, and comprehensive understanding of something, often gained through experience or close association.

What can I say instead of "intimately understand"?

You can use alternatives like "deeply comprehend", "thoroughly grasp", or "completely appreciate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "intimately understood"?

Yes, "intimately understood" is the past participle form and is grammatically correct. It can be used to describe something that has been deeply understood, as in "The impact of the policy was intimately understood by the affected communities."

How does "intimately understand" differ from "simply understand"?

"Intimately understand" implies a much deeper and more personal level of understanding than "simply understand". It suggests a close connection and a thorough comprehension that goes beyond surface-level knowledge.