intuitively understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intuitively understand" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to describe something that is not easily explained, but which someone can instinctively understand. For example: "She could intuitively understand why the plan would work even though she couldn't explain it logically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The experience drove a deep interest in how people intuitively understand music, and how this understanding is different for people with disabilities.

Huffington Post

People intuitively understand that, and they are worried".

The New York Times

Children intuitively understand what a nerd is, with terrible clarity.

The Economist

They intuitively understand, whereas grown-ups will just stand and watch".

The New York Times - Arts

And suddenly, just by simplifying through colour, you could intuitively understand something complex.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Great children's-book authors seem to intuitively understand this, and they lace their work with minutia.

The New Yorker

Those who intuitively understand this profound shift can rightfully call themselves Election Night victors.

The New York Times

He could intuitively understand the personality of a person and capture it in the designs".

The New York Times

A scientist can look at the graphs and get it, but most people won't intuitively understand.

The New York Times

We intuitively understand that terrorism is theatre, and hence we judge it by its emotional rather than material impact.

The Guardian - Books

They intuitively understand the odds of the Pedro Martínez-leSoxRed Sox hanging with them to the finish.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intuitively understand" when describing a comprehension that arises from instinct or feeling rather than explicit reasoning. This emphasizes a natural, almost unconscious grasp of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "intuitively understand" as a substitute for verifiable knowledge or reasoned analysis. Ensure that intuitive understandings are supplemented with evidence or logical support where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intuitively understand" functions as a verb phrase indicating a way of knowing or comprehending something through intuition rather than conscious reasoning. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intuitively understand" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a spontaneous or instinctive grasp of something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, offering numerous real-world examples from diverse sources. It is most commonly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, suggesting a broad applicability across different registers, although it maintains a generally neutral tone. While there's no issue in using the term, make sure that in formal writing or contexts that require formal justification you supplement intuition with sound arguments or scientific proofs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grasp instinctively

Mirrors the meaning of "intuitively understand" by highlighting the instinctive and immediate nature of comprehension.

instinctively grasp

Implies an immediate and inherent understanding, differing in that it emphasizes the instinctive nature of the comprehension.

possess an innate understanding of

Stresses the inherent and inborn quality of the understanding, adding emphasis on the origin of the knowledge.

naturally comprehend

Focuses on the ease and naturalness of understanding, slightly different from the immediacy suggested by "intuitively understand".

immediately perceive

Highlights the quickness of perception, shifting the focus from understanding to the initial awareness.

effortlessly appreciate

Emphasizes the lack of effort required to appreciate something, adding a layer of valuation to the understanding.

have an immediate sense of

Emphasizes the immediacy of the sense or understanding, shifting the focus to the instantaneous nature of the perception.

readily discern

Suggests an ease in distinguishing or recognizing something, varying from the broader understanding implied by the original phrase.

sense instinctively

Focuses on sensing or feeling something instinctively, differing in that it doesn't necessarily imply full comprehension.

have a gut feeling about

Implies an understanding based on intuition rather than logical reasoning, changing the focus to an emotional or instinctive sense.

FAQs

How can I use "intuitively understand" in a sentence?

You can use "intuitively understand" to describe a situation where someone understands something without needing a detailed explanation. For example, "She could "intuitively understand" the problem, even though it was complex".

What are some alternatives to "intuitively understand"?

Some alternatives include "instinctively grasp", "naturally comprehend", or "immediately perceive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "intuitively understand" something or to logically understand it?

Neither is inherently better; it depends on the context. Logical understanding is based on reason and evidence, while ""intuitively understand"ing" comes from instinct. Ideally, both work together for a complete comprehension.

When is it appropriate to say I "intuitively understand" something?

It's appropriate when your understanding comes from a gut feeling, innate sense, or immediate perception rather than from a detailed analysis or explanation. It suggests a level of inherent comprehension.