less understood of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less understood of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey that something is not well understood, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "The concept of dark matter is one of the less understood aspects of modern physics."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But there is also the issue, less understood, of how education dollars are spent.

The New York Times

It is probably the less understood of haemodialysate components and serum magnesium is frequently not monitored in haemodialysis patients.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The strong reaction to mere comments from a candidate — before any fresh easing has actually taken place — demonstrates one of the less understood aspects of monetary policy: that expectations can matter more than policy.

The New York Times

One of the less understood implications of the continuing, subsidy-fueled Gulf expansion is the threat to the U.S. domestic airline network.

Huffington Post

Long accustomed to fighting alcohol abuse among young people, officials are now scrambling to confront the new and less understood threat of combining high amounts of alcohol with caffeine.

The New York Times

The organization and functions of centromeric chromatin remain less understood subjects of active study.

Developmental Cell

The major health impact of outdoor air pollution is relatively well known but the report, from the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, also highlights the less understood impact of indoor pollution, as well as the growing evidence of harm to children's health and intelligence.

The Guardian

The most important ability of the human vision is object recognition, yet it is exactly the less understood aspect of the vision system.

Biosystems

Today, system designers pay more attention to the relatively less understood process of mapping a system's communication requirements onto a well-optimized on-chip communication architecture.

Multiprocessor Systems-on-Chips

A much less understood cost of doing business with a traditional broker is the bid/ask spread.

Huffington Post

SIgn up now to get thandlet of VICE Canada delivered straighisto your inbox.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "less understood of". Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "less understood than" or "not well understood" for clarity and precision in writing.

Common error

The construction "less understood of" is grammatically unsound. Replace it with "less understood than" when comparing, or rephrase to "not well understood" for a more generally accepted expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less understood of" functions as a modifier, attempting to describe something that is not well-known or comprehended. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this is not standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less understood of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. While its intended meaning is to convey that something is not well comprehended, it's advisable to use alternatives like "less understood than" or "not well understood" for clarity and correctness. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is non-standard, and using the suggested alternatives will enhance the quality and credibility of your writing. Although examples exist in scientific and news sources, adhering to standard grammar is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly understood

Focuses on the lack of understanding directly.

not well understood

Emphasizes the lack of comprehensive understanding.

less comprehended

Uses a more formal synonym for 'understood'.

not fully grasped

Implies a partial or incomplete understanding.

remains unclear

Highlights the lack of clarity surrounding a topic.

lacks sufficient research

Shifts focus to the deficiency in investigation.

little known

Emphasizes the scarcity of knowledge.

obscure

Indicates something is vague or not easily discovered.

enigmatic

Suggests a mysterious or puzzling nature.

imperfectly known

Highlights incompleteness of current knowledge.

FAQs

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "less understood of"?

You can use phrases like "less understood than" or "not well understood" as grammatically sound alternatives.

Is "less understood of" ever considered correct?

No, "less understood of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. It's better to use more common and accepted phrases.

How can I rephrase a sentence that contains "less understood of"?

Instead of saying "This is less understood of the two", try "This is less understood than the other" or "This is not as well understood as the other".

What's the difference between "less understood of" and "less well understood"?

"Less understood of" is grammatically incorrect. "Less well understood" is grammatically correct, though "not well understood" is a more common and natural-sounding alternative.