not fully understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'not fully understand' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you do not have a complete understanding of the subject. For example: I read the article, but I do not fully understand the economic implications.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But scientists did not fully understand why.

Independent

Even regular concertgoers may not fully understand how residencies work.

Yale University

Ms. Burwell said officials did not fully understand why.

The New York Times

Even the girl does not fully understand her ambivalence.

The New York Times - Books

We realised that we did not fully understand the EDL stance in York and, from what we could make out, that they did not fully understand us either.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite this, we do not fully understand the nature of fatigue damage in bone.

International Journal of Fatigue

The influences of foam geometry and morphology on the failure mechanisms are still not fully understand.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Social media have transformed political debate in ways we do not fully understand.

The Guardian - Opinion

The superstars caused the problem with financial wizardry they did not fully understand.

The New York Times

It is an unusual scenario, one I do not fully understand, never mind agree with".

The Guardian - Sport

He said he did not fully understand what the paper said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not fully understand", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect is not completely understood. Providing additional details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "not fully understand" without specifying the subject or area of incomplete understanding. Vague statements can lead to confusion and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not fully understand" functions as a qualifier, modifying the verb "understand" to indicate the extent or degree of comprehension. It's used to express that understanding is incomplete or partial. Ludwig provides numerous examples to support this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

22%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Unknown/unmatched sources

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not fully understand" is a common and grammatically sound way to express partial comprehension. Ludwig's analysis indicates its widespread use across various domains, including news, science, and academic writing. The phrase functions as a qualifier, adding nuance to the verb "understand". While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, clarity is key. To avoid ambiguity, specify what aspect is "not fully understand". Alternatives such as "not completely grasp" or "partially misunderstand" offer similar meanings, allowing writers to tailor their language. Ultimately, "not fully understand" is a versatile tool for expressing incomplete knowledge, and Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not completely grasp

Replaces "understand" with "grasp", indicating a failure to seize or comprehend something entirely. Uses "completely" instead of "fully".

not entirely comprehend

Uses "comprehend" instead of "understand", suggesting a more formal or thorough level of understanding. Uses "entirely" instead of "fully".

partially misunderstand

Indicates that some understanding exists, but it is flawed or incomplete. Focuses on the act of misunderstanding rather than lack of understanding.

lack complete awareness

Shifts the focus to a lack of awareness, implying a broader deficiency in knowledge or perception. Uses "complete" instead of "fully".

have a limited understanding

Emphasizes the restriction or constraint on one's comprehension. Uses "limited" instead of "fully".

not have a full appreciation

Highlights a lack of deep or nuanced understanding, especially in terms of value or importance. Uses "appreciation" instead of "understanding".

be somewhat ignorant of

Suggests a degree of unawareness or unfamiliarity with a subject. Uses "ignorant" instead of "not understand".

not quite get

A more informal alternative, indicating a failure to fully comprehend something. Uses "get" instead of "understand" and "quite" instead of "fully".

have a hazy idea

Implies an unclear or indistinct understanding. Uses "hazy idea" instead of "understand".

be unclear on

Focuses on the lack of clarity surrounding a topic, suggesting confusion or uncertainty. Uses "unclear" instead of "not understand".

FAQs

What does "not fully understand" mean?

The phrase "not fully understand" indicates that someone has a partial, but incomplete, comprehension of a topic, concept, or situation. It suggests a lack of complete clarity or knowledge.

How can I use "not fully understand" in a sentence?

You can use "not fully understand" to express a lack of complete comprehension, as in, "I read the report, but I "not fully understand" the implications."

What are some alternatives to "not fully understand"?

Alternatives to "not fully understand" include phrases like "not completely grasp", "partially misunderstand", or "lack complete awareness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not understand" or "not fully understand"?

While both are correct, "not fully understand" implies a degree of partial comprehension, whereas "not understand" suggests a complete lack of comprehension. The choice depends on the context and the level of understanding you wish to convey.