largely unknown

USAGE SUMMARY

"largely unknown" is totally correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express that something currently has little to no knowledge. For example: "The poet's work was largely unknown until recently."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Driben's largess is largely unknown.

The New York Times - Sports

(Zika was still largely unknown).

The New Yorker

This is still largely unknown.

University of California, Berkeley

It remains largely unknown today.

Princeton University

It is also largely unknown.

The New York Times

Mr Brown's court remains largely unknown.

The Economist

Its function is largely unknown.

Micron

Their biochemistry, however, is largely unknown.

Cornell University

"But the ocean is vast, largely unknown.

The New York Times

They are largely unknown under their helmets.

The New York Times

Most classical literature was largely unknown.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely unknown", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect is not well-understood. Be specific rather than making broad, vague statements.

Common error

Avoid using "largely unknown" when some information is available or preliminary research exists. Instead, acknowledge what is known before highlighting the remaining gaps in knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely unknown" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate a significant lack of knowledge or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

25%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Unknown/unmatched sources

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "largely unknown" is a grammatically correct and very common adjective phrase used to describe something with significant gaps in knowledge. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is widespread across various domains, particularly in science, academia, and news media. When using "largely unknown", ensure the context clearly defines what specific aspect is not well-understood. Alternatives such as "generally unknown" or "mostly unrecognized" can be employed to subtly shift the emphasis, depending on the intended message. Remember, while some information might exist, the key is that the majority remains unclear when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally unknown

More general phrasing, emphasizing the widespread lack of knowledge.

little understood

Directly states the lack of comprehension regarding something.

mostly unrecognized

Focuses on the lack of recognition rather than pure knowledge.

not widely recognized

Emphasizes the lack of widespread recognition.

largely unfamiliar

Highlights a lack of familiarity with the subject.

broadly unacknowledged

Highlights that something is not properly acknowledged or appreciated.

substantially obscure

Emphasizes that something is hidden or unclear.

relatively unstudied

Indicates a lack of academic research or study.

relatively unexplored

Indicates that something has not been thoroughly investigated.

virtually uncharted

Implies something is in a state of being almost entirely unknown, like unexplored territory.

FAQs

How can I use "largely unknown" in a sentence?

You can use "largely unknown" to describe subjects, processes, or mechanisms where substantial information is lacking. For example, "The underlying mechanisms of this disease are "largely unknown"".

What are some alternatives to "largely unknown"?

Alternatives include "generally unknown", "mostly unrecognized", or "little understood". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "largely unknown"?

Use "largely unknown" when the majority of information about a topic is not established or understood, despite some preliminary knowledge. It is more emphatic than saying "partially known".

How does "largely unknown" differ from "completely unknown"?

"Largely unknown" suggests some limited information or understanding exists, while "completely unknown" implies a total absence of knowledge. If there is any information, however scant, "largely unknown" is more appropriate.