not well understood

USAGE SUMMARY

"not well understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when something is not clear or comprehended. For example: "Because of its complexity, the idea was not well understood by everyone in the group."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet it is not well understood.

The Economist

Why this happens is not well understood.

The New York Times

However, their interaction is not well understood.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

A stylist's responsibility is not well understood.

The New York Times - Style

But these are not well understood, either.

The New York Times

"This is not well understood," he said.

The New York Times

Its cause is not well understood.

The New York Times

The pathogenic mechanisms are not well understood.

European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

The underlying mechanisms are not well understood.

International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine

However, this process is not well understood.

Journal of Power Sources

Its etiology is not well understood.

The Journal of Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not well understood", provide context or explanation to indicate what aspects are unclear. This helps the reader grasp the extent of the knowledge gap and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "not well understood" when there is some established knowledge or evidence. Instead, acknowledge existing understanding before pointing out the gaps or uncertainties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not well understood" functions as a qualifier, indicating a lack of complete knowledge or comprehension about a particular subject. It is frequently used to acknowledge gaps in understanding, as illustrated in Ludwig examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

Academia

28%

News & Media

18%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not well understood" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to indicate a lack of complete knowledge or comprehension. As Ludwig AI highlights, it appears across various domains, including science, academia, and news media. Its primary function is to express uncertainty and acknowledge gaps in our understanding of complex subjects. While the phrase is versatile, it is crucial to provide context and avoid overstating the lack of knowledge. Alternatives such as "poorly understood" or "remains unclear" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly understood

Emphasizes the inadequacy of understanding.

not clearly understood

Highlights the lack of clarity in the understanding.

vaguely understood

Suggests an understanding that is indistinct and imprecise.

imperfectly understood

Indicates that the understanding is flawed or incomplete.

not fully comprehended

Stresses that the complete meaning or implications are not grasped.

incompletely understood

Focuses on the unfinished or partial nature of the understanding.

insufficiently understood

Highlights the lack of adequate understanding.

not adequately understood

Similar to insufficiently understood, indicating a deficit in understanding.

remains unclear

Shifts the focus to the lack of clarity rather than the deficiency in understanding.

poorly grasped

Indicates a weak or deficient understanding of the concept.

FAQs

How can I use "not well understood" in a sentence?

You can use "not well understood" to indicate that something lacks clear comprehension. For instance, "The mechanism behind this phenomenon is "not well understood"."

What are some alternatives to "not well understood"?

Alternatives include "poorly understood", "not clearly understood", or "remains unclear depending" on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not well understood" or "misunderstood"?

"Not well understood" indicates a lack of comprehension, while "misunderstood" means something has been incorrectly interpreted. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual situation.

What does it mean when something is "not well understood" in scientific research?

In scientific research, when a concept is "not well understood", it suggests that further investigation is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, causes, or effects.