to understand more fully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to understand more fully" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of gaining a deeper or clearer comprehension of a subject or concept. Example: "In order to understand more fully the implications of this research, we must analyze the data thoroughly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Part of his motivation for watching the films was to try to understand more fully what he had been through.

Independent

When the friends finally reunite, their world has widened, and they've come to understand more fully what constitutes being cool.

The New York Times - Books

As the president contemplates striking Syria, the public deserves to understand more fully what "limited" military action actually means.

The New York Times

To understand more fully how a genome works we therefore need to build one to try to elucidate the role of this 98% "junk DNA".

The Guardian - Opinion

And I would hope that it would cause the public to understand more fully the kinds of resources that are required to do it".

The New Yorker

It cannot pause to reflect or to understand more fully without missing another part of the action, nor can it go back or forward.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It caused me to understand more fully how sentences were either dead or alive, that there was something in rhythm, even the simplest rhythm, that gave a sentence force.

The Guardian - Books

Minnaert was first a botanist, but his desire to understand more fully the effect of light on plants led him to study physics at the University of Leiden, in the Netherlands.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The British validation of the Mau Mau claims – and its first form of an apology for modern empire – offers its citizens an opportunity to understand more fully the unholy relationship between liberalism and imperialism, and the impacts not only on the elderly Kikuyu, but on themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Years later, I came to understand more fully how my father and others like him had tried to protect our nation's moral integrity, but at the time Kerry was the only person who made it seem possible to be a patriot and a war objector both.

The New Yorker

This suggests the need for further research examining the role of various educational contexts to understand more fully the effects of media multitasking on academic performance.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to understand more fully" when you want to emphasize the process of gaining a complete and nuanced comprehension of a topic, rather than just a superficial understanding. This emphasizes the depth of knowledge pursued.

Common error

Avoid using "to understand more fully" in situations where a simpler phrase like "to understand" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose and pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to understand more fully" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It typically introduces a reason or objective for an action, indicating a need for deeper or more complete comprehension. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts, enhancing clarity and depth of understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to understand more fully" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to emphasize the need for deeper and more complete comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is particularly common in scientific and news contexts, with a neutral formality level. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid unnecessary verbosity. Alternatives include "to comprehend more completely" and "to grasp more thoroughly", offering similar nuances in meaning. Overall, "to understand more fully" is a valuable phrase when seeking to highlight the importance of thorough understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to comprehend more completely

Replaces "understand" with "comprehend" and "fully" with "completely", emphasizing thorough understanding.

to grasp more thoroughly

Substitutes "understand" with "grasp" and "fully" with "thoroughly", highlighting the act of seizing understanding.

to appreciate more deeply

Uses "appreciate" instead of "understand" to suggest a more nuanced and profound comprehension.

to gain a deeper understanding

Rephrases the phrase as gaining an understanding, which slightly changes the original emphasis.

to achieve a fuller comprehension

Replaces "understand" with "comprehension" and emphasizes the achievement of a more complete understanding.

to get a better handle on

Uses a more informal expression to indicate improved understanding or control.

to realize more fully

Emphasizes the process of becoming aware of something completely.

to fathom more completely

Replaces "understand" with "fathom", suggesting a deeper exploration to understand something complex.

to gain greater insight into

Focuses on gaining insight, implying a more profound and intuitive understanding.

to penetrate the depths of

Uses a more figurative expression, suggesting a comprehensive exploration to understand something complex.

FAQs

How can I use "to understand more fully" in a sentence?

You can use "to understand more fully" to express the need for deeper comprehension. For example, "Further research is needed "to understand more fully" the long-term effects of the medication".

What are some alternatives to "to understand more fully"?

Alternatives include "to comprehend more completely", "to grasp more thoroughly", or "to appreciate more deeply", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "fully" in "to understand more fully"?

While "to understand" is perfectly acceptable, adding "more fully" emphasizes a more complete and thorough understanding. The redundancy is intentional to highlight the depth of comprehension desired.

When is it appropriate to use "to understand more fully" instead of just "to understand"?

Use "to understand more fully" when you want to highlight the necessity of achieving a deep and comprehensive understanding, especially in complex or nuanced situations. It adds emphasis compared to the simpler "to understand".