is poorly understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is poorly understood" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not well understood or known. For example: - The concept of quantum mechanics is poorly understood by many people. - The effects of climate change on marine ecosystems are still poorly understood. - The reasons for the sudden decline in the population of bees are still poorly understood by scientists. - The nuances of the language are often poorly understood by non-native speakers.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rheumatic fever is poorly understood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This process is poorly understood.

Stanford University

"The problem is poorly understood.

The Guardian

Standard deviation is poorly understood.

Harvard Business Review

Yet the pirate economy is poorly understood.

The Economist

The etiology is poorly understood, and multifactorial.

Stanford University

Why this happens is poorly understood.

Stanford University

What drives the fibrosis is poorly understood.

Nature

The biology here is poorly understood.

The New York Times - Science

Platanista is poorly understood and tragically endangered.

The Washington Post

Its molecular pathogenesis is poorly understood.

Cancer Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is poorly understood" when you want to indicate that a concept, phenomenon, or process is not well-researched, documented, or agreed upon within a particular field.

Common error

Be mindful not to use "is poorly understood" as an absolute statement. Instead, provide context by specifying who lacks understanding or which aspects are unclear. For example, instead of saying "The process is poorly understood", consider saying "The underlying mechanism of this process "remains elusive"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is poorly understood" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a lack of comprehensive knowledge or clarity regarding a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

Academia

28%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is poorly understood" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote a lack of comprehensive knowledge on a topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in scientific and academic writing to highlight areas needing further investigation. While versatile, it's crucial to provide context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "is not well understood" or "remains largely unknown" for nuanced expression. Remember that precise and contextualized usage will enhance clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not well understood

Replaces 'poorly' with 'not well', maintaining the same meaning of lacking understanding.

is not fully comprehended

Substitutes 'understood' with 'comprehended' and uses 'not fully' instead of 'poorly', indicating incomplete understanding.

is imperfectly known

Replaces 'understood' with 'known' and 'poorly' with 'imperfectly', suggesting that knowledge is incomplete or flawed.

remains largely unknown

Uses 'remains largely unknown' to emphasize the significant lack of knowledge.

is not clearly defined

Focuses on the lack of clear definition rather than general understanding.

is vaguely understood

Replaces 'poorly' with 'vaguely', indicating a lack of precision in understanding.

is superficially understood

Suggests a shallow level of understanding, lacking depth.

is misinterpreted

Indicates an incorrect or flawed understanding.

is subject to misinterpretation

Highlights the potential for misunderstanding or incorrect interpretation.

is clouded in mystery

Emphasizes the enigmatic nature and lack of clarity surrounding the subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "is poorly understood" to describe concepts or phenomena that lack sufficient research or explanation. For example: "The pathogenesis of this disease "is poorly understood"".

What are some alternatives to "is poorly understood"?

Alternatives include "is not well understood", "remains largely unknown", or "is imperfectly known", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "is poorly understood" in formal writing?

Yes, "is poorly understood" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in academic and scientific contexts, as it objectively conveys a lack of complete knowledge.

What does it mean when something "is poorly understood"?

When something ""is poorly understood"", it means that our knowledge or comprehension of it is incomplete, uncertain, or subject to debate. Further research or investigation is usually needed to gain a better understanding.