is partially understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is partially understandable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that can be comprehended to some extent, but not fully. Example: "The instructions were poorly written, but they are partially understandable if you read them carefully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The falloff in support for the peace process is partially understandable.

The New York Times

Can express a main point or make a brief statement when prompted, in a way that is partially understandable.

Language Testing in Asia

This bias is partially understandable given the epidemiology of injecting drug use, which is predominantly engaged in by men, and a relatively efficient route of HIV transmission.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This may be partially understandable, however.

Biology Direct

It is partially valid.

The New York Times

Another is "partially curtailed".

The New York Times

But he noted that this effort was partially fuelled by a "genuine and understandable desire" to improve standards for children from an ethnic minority group that had long been poorly served by education in the city.

The Guardian

Which was partially true.

The Guardian - Music

That's partially true.

The Guardian - Film

I'm partially blind.

The New York Times - Magazine

I am partially sighted.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is partially understandable", clarify which specific parts or aspects are understandable to avoid ambiguity. This provides context and enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "is partially understandable" when something is almost entirely incomprehensible. Choose a phrase that more accurately reflects the degree of understanding, such as "is barely understandable" or "is largely unclear."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is partially understandable" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the degree to which something can be comprehended. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase suggests that while complete understanding may not be possible, certain aspects can be grasped. The examples demonstrate usage in contexts where clarity is limited but not entirely absent.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is partially understandable" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English that describes something comprehended to some extent but not fully. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates a state of incomplete understanding, suitable for various contexts like news, science, and general discourse. While it is not extremely common, the phrase offers a nuanced way to express limited clarity, and alternative phrases like "is somewhat comprehensible" or "is partly clear" can be used for slight variations in meaning. It's crucial to clarify which aspects are understandable to avoid ambiguity and to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the degree of comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is somewhat comprehensible

Replaces "understandable" with "comprehensible" and "partially" with "somewhat", indicating a moderate degree of understanding.

is partly clear

Substitutes "understandable" with "clear" and "partially" with "partly", suggesting that some aspects are easily grasped.

is not entirely incomprehensible

Uses a double negative to convey partial understanding, implying that it can be understood with some effort.

is understandable to a degree

Adds "to a degree" to specify that the understanding is limited.

is appreciable to some extent

Uses "appreciable" instead of "understandable", focusing on the extent to which it can be valued or recognized.

is reasonably intelligible

Replaces "understandable" with "intelligible" and "partially" with "reasonably", highlighting the ease of comprehension.

is not fully transparent

Emphasizes a lack of complete clarity, suggesting understanding is hindered by opacity.

is partially accessible

Shifts the focus to accessibility, indicating that understanding is limited by barriers to information or comprehension.

is partially appreciable

Highlights the level of appreciation or recognition that can be garnered.

is comprehensible in part

Inverts the structure and uses "in part" to emphasize that only a portion is understandable.

FAQs

How can I use "is partially understandable" in a sentence?

You can use "is partially understandable" to describe concepts, instructions, or situations that are not entirely clear but can be grasped to some extent. For instance, "The explanation "is partially understandable", but I still have some questions."

What are some alternatives to "is partially understandable"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is somewhat comprehensible", "is partly clear", or "is not entirely incomprehensible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is partially understandable" versus "is understandable"?

"Is partially understandable" is suitable when something is not fully clear or comprehended, while "is understandable" implies complete or near-complete comprehension. Use ""is partially understandable"" when you want to emphasize that only some aspects are clear.

What's the difference between "is partially understandable" and "is understandable to some extent"?

The phrases are very similar. "Is understandable to some extent" is slightly more explicit about the limited degree of understanding, while ""is partially understandable"" is more concise and direct.