it was poorly understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was poorly understood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or concept that was not comprehended well by others. Example: "The new policy was implemented without sufficient training, and as a result, it was poorly understood by the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

On top of that voters rejected a redistricting reform proposal mostly, I believe, because it was poorly understood and even more poorly explained by advocates.

Huffington Post

This was dropped fairly early on (apparently because it was poorly understood how the plates were embedded in the skin and it was thought that they would overlap too much in this arrangement).

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Although chronic carriage is well known and widespread, it is poorly understood and its clinical relevance is unclear.

BMC Pediatrics

However, it is poorly understood to what extent this variation has a genetic basis.

Nature

Compared to flaming fires, smouldering is slow, low-temperature, flameless, and most persistent, yet it is poorly understood.

Combustion and Flame

Although peer review is crucial for innovation and experimental discoveries in science, it is poorly understood in scientific terms.

Research Policy

In particular, the issue of torque roll axis decoupling is analyzed in significant detail since it is poorly understood.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

However, it is poorly understood how this process referred to as memory reconsolidation is affected in animal models of AD.

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

However, it is poorly understood what indices best reflect the vegetative quality of these oak savannas and wetlands.

Ecological Indicators

The deadly violence is omnipresent, but without a visible front or an apparent strategy—and for those reasons, among others, it is poorly understood.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Universal jurisdiction is becoming a potent instrument of international law, but it is poorly understood by legal experts and remains a mystery to most public officials and citizens.

University of Pennsylvania

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was poorly understood", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject or concept that lacked comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "it was poorly understood" without a clear antecedent for "it". Readers should immediately know what concept or idea is being referenced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was poorly understood" functions as a statement indicating a lack of comprehension. As Ludwig suggests, it's used to describe situations or concepts that people don't fully grasp. It often sets the stage for further explanation or analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was poorly understood" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a lack of comprehension or clarity regarding a specific subject. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is versatile and applicable across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While grammatically correct, it's essential to ensure the antecedent of "it" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "it was not well comprehended" or "it was misunderstood" can offer subtle shifts in meaning. Overall, "it was poorly understood" is a valuable tool for highlighting knowledge gaps and setting the stage for further discussion or explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it wasn't well understood

Emphasizes the lack of understanding using simpler vocabulary.

it was not clearly understood

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the understanding.

it was inadequately comprehended

Replaces 'poorly' with 'inadequately' for a more formal tone.

it was insufficiently grasped

Uses 'grasped' instead of 'understood' to imply a lack of complete understanding.

it lacked sufficient explanation

Shifts focus to the explanation being inadequate rather than the understanding itself.

it was vaguely apprehended

Implies a weak or indistinct understanding.

it was misinterpreted

Indicates an incorrect understanding rather than a lack of understanding.

there was a lack of comprehension

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the 'lack of comprehension'.

the understanding of it was limited

Highlights the limited extent of understanding.

the matter remained obscure

Focuses on the obscurity of the matter rather than the understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "it was poorly understood" in a sentence?

Use "it was poorly understood" to indicate a lack of comprehension regarding a specific subject. For example, "The economic model was complex, and "it was poorly understood" by many policymakers."

What are some alternatives to "it was poorly understood"?

You can use alternatives like "it was not well comprehended", "it was misunderstood", or "there was a lack of comprehension" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it was poorly understood" or "it wasn't well understood"?

Both "it was poorly understood" and "it wasn't well understood" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on stylistic preference and the desired level of formality.

What does "it was poorly understood" imply?

The phrase "it was poorly understood" implies that a particular concept, idea, or situation was not adequately comprehended or grasped by a relevant audience. This could be due to complexity, lack of information, or inadequate explanation.