partially comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "partially comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a limited understanding of a concept or information. Example: "After reading the article, I could only partially comprehend the complex theories presented by the author."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This position frequently affirms that reason can, in some cases, partially comprehend religious truths after they have been revealed; or at least it shows negatively that no contradiction is necessarily involved in them or that there is a rational basis for accepting truths of faith that the human mind can in no way comprehend.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Third, even though the more politically sophisticated Chinese partially comprehend protectionist rhetoric during U.S. elections, statements by candidates about reneging on agreements such as [the North American Free Trade Agreement], of all things, made the Chinese question U.S. commitment to open trade.

Forbes

Ubiquitination modifies proteins in a variety of ways, the significance of which we only partially comprehend.

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In most cases patients partially comprehended substantial information regarding the benefits, risks and inconveniences of the suggested treatment.

Plosone

The signaling pathways that mediate PEC activation are only partially comprehended; however, more and more related observations are emerging.

BioMed Research International

More often than not, these women report strong feelings of denial about their pregnancies, saying that they were not aware — or only partially able to comprehend — that they were carrying.

The New Yorker

Even partially educated N.B.A. players should comprehend that taxpayer funds would be much better spent on the education, protection, care and development of inner city children so that more of them are able to survive, flourish and become self-supporting.

The New York Times - Sports

Consequently, auditory verbal comprehension is significantly impaired in Wernicke's aphasia but the capacity to comprehend visually presented materials (written words and pictures) is partially spared.

Brain

"It is difficult to comprehend the emotional impact of an observation which took us from the partially explicable solar system and galactic radio emission phenomena, into the realms of phenomena with inexplicably high energy outputs," Mr. Stanley wrote in 1994, in a tribute to Mr. Bolton, who died in 1993.

The New York Times

I can comprehend that.

Independent

And partially.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "partially comprehend", ensure the context clarifies what aspects are understood and what remains unclear.

Common error

Avoid using "partially comprehend" when the understanding is minimal or non-existent; instead, use phrases like "barely understand" or "do not fully understand."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partially comprehend" functions as a verb phrase indicating an incomplete or limited understanding of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is acceptable in written English. It's often used to describe situations where full comprehension is lacking.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "partially comprehend" is used to express a limited understanding of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While not exceedingly common, understanding its nuances and appropriate usage ensures clarity and precision in expressing incomplete comprehension. Be mindful of overstating comprehension and choose the phrase when a genuine, albeit limited, understanding is present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Partially grasp

Synonymous replacement of "comprehend" with "grasp", indicating a similar sense of incomplete understanding.

Somewhat understand

Replaces "comprehend" with a simpler synonym and "partially" with "somewhat", indicating a degree of understanding that is less than complete.

Incompletely understand

Directly states the incomplete nature of the understanding, using "incompletely" to modify "understand".

Only partly understand

Emphasizes the limited extent of the understanding, using "only partly" to highlight the incompleteness.

Have a limited grasp of

Emphasizes the limited nature of understanding, using "grasp" to suggest a tentative or incomplete comprehension.

Understand to a degree

Indicates a partial understanding, focusing on the extent to which something is understood.

Faintly perceive

Suggests a weak or indistinct understanding, implying that the comprehension is not clear or complete.

Have a hazy understanding of

Implies a vague or unclear comprehension, suggesting that the understanding is not well-defined.

Have a superficial understanding of

Indicates a shallow or surface-level comprehension, suggesting that the understanding lacks depth.

Get the gist of

Means understanding the main point without fully grasping all the details.

FAQs

How can I use "partially comprehend" in a sentence?

You can use "partially comprehend" to indicate a limited understanding, as in "I could only partially comprehend the complex theories presented by the author" or "The students partially comprehended the historical context of the novel".

What's a more formal way to say "partially comprehend"?

More formal alternatives include "have a limited grasp of" or "incompletely understand", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly more sophisticated tone.

What can I say instead of "partially comprehend"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat understand", "understand to a degree", or "partially grasp" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "partially comprehend"?

It's appropriate when you want to express that someone has some understanding of a subject but not a complete or thorough understanding. It acknowledges a level of understanding without implying full mastery.