partial understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "partial understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has a limited or incomplete grasp of a concept or subject. Example: "After the lecture, I left with a partial understanding of the topic, but I knew I needed to study more to fully grasp it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Claiming (partial) understanding or Comprehension failure (CC) "I don't understand how you made this animation".

Smart Learning Environments

Meades evocatively captures the social unease of the time reflected through a child's partial understanding.

The Guardian - Books

You remain an eternal tourist, collecting first impressions and getting a partial understanding.

The Guardian

At the time, no one seemed to have more than a partial understanding of why they were fighting.

The New Yorker

The navy described his dossier as "subjective and unsubstantiated" and its inquiry dismissed his allegations as "factually incorrect or the result of misunderstanding or partial understanding".

The Guardian

"Even when researchers are confused, and only have a partial understanding of a puzzle, it is important that their explanations have some element of logic and consistency".

The New York Times

Although we are still unable to predict when a volcano will erupt, we have managed to acquire at least a partial understanding of the forces that can cause the earth's plates to move, producing the not unrelated seismic phenomena of earthquakes and volcanoes.

The New York Times - Books

That inherent unreliability makes fictional children appealing vehicles for dramatic irony, protagonist-witnesses of a story of which they have only a partial understanding, whose gaps in knowledge and comprehension mirror their readers' experience and occasionally leave us terrified in the face of their ignorance.

The Guardian - Books

There are also many contemporary resonances in a story that is in part about the attempted reconstruction of a country after conflict, "that was well intentioned and partly successful, but was also unpredictable and undertaken with a very partial understanding of the local people.

The Guardian - Books

Most experimentation has resulted in partial understanding of a small proportion of known metabolites.

TechCrunch

This error demonstrates a partial understanding of the power rule.

International Journal of STEM Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "partial understanding", clarify the specific areas where understanding is lacking to provide more context to the reader.

Common error

Avoid overstating someone's comprehension. If their understanding is incomplete, accurately represent it as a "partial understanding" rather than implying they grasp the entirety of the concept.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partial understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or following a preposition. As evidenced by Ludwig, it describes the state of having an incomplete or limited comprehension of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "partial understanding" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe an incomplete comprehension of a topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is found frequently in scientific and news media contexts. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to specify what aspects are not fully understood. While alternatives like "limited grasp" or "incomplete comprehension" exist, "partial understanding" effectively conveys the notion of an incomplete grasp of information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Incomplete comprehension

Directly indicates that the understanding is not yet whole or finished.

Limited grasp

Implies a weaker hold on the subject matter compared to a full understanding.

Fragmentary knowledge

Highlights that the knowledge is broken into pieces and not fully connected.

Incomplete picture

Suggests the understanding is missing key elements.

Superficial knowledge

Suggests a lack of depth in the understanding.

Imperfect insight

Suggests that the understanding is flawed or not entirely accurate.

Rudimentary awareness

Implies a basic and undeveloped level of understanding.

Hazy perception

Indicates a lack of clarity in the understanding.

Sketchy acquaintance

Implies a casual or minimal familiarity with the topic.

Rough idea

Indicates a general but not detailed sense of something.

FAQs

How can I use "partial understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "partial understanding" to describe someone's incomplete grasp of a subject. For example: "He had a partial understanding of the theory, but needed more explanation."

What are some alternatives to "partial understanding"?

Alternatives include "limited grasp", "incomplete comprehension", or "superficial knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it acceptable to act on a "partial understanding"?

Acting on a "partial understanding" can be risky. It's often better to seek more information or clarification to avoid mistakes or misinterpretations.

What's the difference between "partial understanding" and "misunderstanding"?

"Partial understanding" means having some correct knowledge but not a complete picture. "Misunderstanding" implies a fundamentally incorrect grasp of the subject. A "misunderstanding" is more detrimental since it's based on wrong assumptions.