is little understood

USAGE SUMMARY

"is little understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is not widely or clearly understood. For example, "The impact of climate change on food security is little understood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yet in reality his foreign policy approach is little understood.

The Economist

The chicken-and-egg nature of technology is little understood.

The Guardian - Opinion

The younger Mr. Powell's relationship with his father is little understood.

The New York Times

But this is just another way of saying that the world's current interregnum is little understood.

The New York Times

Honey has been used as a medicine since time immemorial, yet the science of its therapeutic properties is little understood.

The Guardian

Bulimia is estimated to be four times as prevalent, but is little understood, other than by experts.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is what makes Qadhi such a pivotal figure in a subculture that is little understood, even by the law-enforcement officials who monitor it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Finally, there are graffiti scratched on pottery; though their function is little understood, they seem to include owners' names as well as numbers, abbreviations, and nonalphabetic signs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The small flowers of the family Marantaceae, usually white, have a curious mechanism that is little understood but is doubtless connected with pollination by small insects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

NFC has struggled because it de-personalises any transaction, isn't wholly trusted and is little understood (hands up who has heard of NFC outside the industry's techies?).

The Guardian

It is little understood, however, that the Republic's cherished values of secularism and freedom of speech historically have a darker side.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is little understood" when you want to emphasize that a concept or phenomenon is not yet fully grasped by experts or the general public. It's suitable for academic, scientific, and journalistic writing.

Common error

Be careful not to suggest complete ignorance when using "is little understood". It implies a limited or incomplete understanding, not a total absence of knowledge. Use stronger phrases like "is entirely unknown" if complete ignorance is what you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is little understood" functions as a predicate adjective describing a subject. It indicates that the subject is not well comprehended or known. This usage aligns with Ludwig's examples, where various topics are described as not fully understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is little understood" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey a limited or incomplete understanding of a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in scientific, academic, and journalistic writing. While alternatives like "is poorly understood" or "remains largely unknown" exist, "is little understood" strikes a balance between acknowledging some existing knowledge and highlighting the need for further investigation. Its frequent use across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and appropriateness in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is poorly understood

This alternative uses a different adjective ("poorly" instead of "little") to describe the extent of understanding.

is not well understood

This alternative uses a more direct negation to convey the lack of understanding.

remains largely unknown

This alternative emphasizes the lack of knowledge about the subject.

is not widely recognized

This alternative focuses on the lack of recognition rather than understanding.

is not fully appreciated

This alternative suggests that the importance or value is not adequately recognized.

is scarcely comprehended

This alternative uses a more formal tone to indicate a limited understanding.

is shrouded in mystery

This alternative implies that the lack of understanding is due to inherent complexity or obscurity.

has received scant attention

This alternative shifts the focus to the lack of attention the subject has received, implying a lack of understanding as a result.

eludes clear definition

This alternative suggests that the subject is difficult to define or understand precisely.

is subject to misinterpretation

This alternative suggests that current interpretations are unreliable and therefore understanding is limited.

FAQs

How can I use "is little understood" in a sentence?

You can use "is little understood" to describe a topic or phenomenon that is not yet fully comprehended. For example, "The long-term effects of microplastics on human health "is little understood"".

What can I say instead of "is little understood"?

You can use alternatives like "is poorly understood", "is not well understood", or "remains largely unknown" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is little understood" or "is not understood"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Is little understood" implies a partial lack of understanding, whereas "is not understood" suggests a complete lack of understanding. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Use "is not understood" when implying there is no comprehension at all.

What's the difference between "is little understood" and "is poorly understood"?

While similar, "is little understood" suggests a lack of information or research, while "is poorly understood" implies that the existing information is misinterpreted or not well-analyzed. The subtle difference lies in whether the issue is quantity versus quality of understanding.