poorly grasped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poorly grasped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concept or idea that has not been understood well or is not fully comprehended. Example: "The theory was poorly grasped by the students, leading to confusion during the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the end, however, the case offered up a somewhat different lesson -- that the ethics and legality of using the Internet are still so poorly grasped by even our most sophisticated citizens.

The New York Times

Understanding the importance of different signal strengths in individual cancers is not only of interest to learn more about these still poorly grasped diseases, it may eventually also impact on the therapeutic use of signal transduction-modulating drugs.

Cell Communication and Signaling

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

These condemned Western economies to "stagflation", a baffling combination of unemployment and inflation, which the Keynesian consensus grasped poorly and failed to prevent.The Federal Reserve, led by Paul Volcker, eventually defeated American inflation in the early 1980s, albeit at a grievous cost to employment.

The Economist

Many Democrats so despise President Bush that they don't appreciate what a strong candidate he will be in November, and they don't grasp how poorly Mr. Dean is likely to fare in battleground states.

The New York Times

They might be poorly advised, unable to grasp all the facts, biased, stubborn, incompetent or caught between different authority figures demanding that they act in a certain way.

WikiHow

He grasped the time.

The New York Times - Sports

Ed Miliband grasped this point.

Independent

Ancient readers readily grasped this.

The New Yorker

"I never grasped my limbs.

The New York Times

Their defenders grasped at air.

The New York Times - Sports

Aliya grasped the concept instantly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poorly grasped", ensure the subject and context are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what concept is "poorly grasped" and by whom.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "poorly grasped" implies complete ignorance. It suggests a partial or flawed understanding, not necessarily a total lack of knowledge. Be specific about the degree and nature of the misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly grasped" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the action of understanding. It indicates that the understanding of a subject is deficient or incomplete. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts where concepts or ideas are not fully comprehended.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poorly grasped" serves to describe a deficient understanding of a concept, idea, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound but relatively rare. Analysis of usage patterns reveals that it occurs most frequently in news and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure the subject is clear and avoid assuming complete ignorance. Alternatives like "badly understood" or "inadequately comprehended" can be used for variety. Overall, "poorly grasped" offers a precise way to indicate a lack of full understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly understood

This alternative uses a more common adjective to describe the lack of understanding, making it simpler and more direct.

inadequately comprehended

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the insufficiency of the understanding.

barely understood

Emphasizes the minimal level of understanding achieved.

vaguely apprehended

Suggests a faint or unclear understanding.

dimly perceived

Implies a lack of clarity in the understanding.

fuzzily grasped

Similar to "vaguely apprehended", but less formal.

imperfectly understood

Highlights the flawed nature of the understanding.

sketchily apprehended

Suggests an incomplete understanding of the concept.

tenuously grasped

Implies that the understanding is fragile or easily lost.

weakly understood

Highlights the fragility and the weakness of the understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "poorly grasped" in a sentence?

You can use "poorly grasped" to describe a concept or idea that is not well understood. For example, "The nuances of quantum physics were poorly grasped by the students".

What are some alternatives to "poorly grasped"?

Some alternatives include "badly understood", "inadequately comprehended", or "vaguely apprehended". Depending on the context, you might also use phrases like "barely understood" or "weakly understood".

Is it appropriate to use "poorly grasped" in formal writing?

Yes, "poorly grasped" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing complex concepts or analyzing understanding. However, ensure the context is clear and the tone remains objective.

What's the difference between "poorly grasped" and "poorly understood"?

While similar, "poorly grasped" suggests an active effort to understand that fell short, whereas "poorly understood" may imply a lack of exposure or explanation. Both are interchangeable in many contexts.