understanding precisely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understanding precisely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of grasping something in a clear and exact manner. Example: "In order to solve this complex problem, we need to focus on understanding precisely the underlying principles involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Understanding precisely how loads were carried led to a reduction in materials, which by then were shifting from wood and stone to iron and steel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's about understanding precisely the link between the two inequalities that Mr. Brooks writes about and the dire, and ever worsening, results.

The New York Times

It would be a neat conclusion to the story if understanding precisely how mimicry evolves clarified what actually is the origin of species.

The Economist

Why?" Understanding precisely what the 30percentt are doing differently, and then encouraging these positive deviants to educate the other 70percentt, can effect significant changes in group behavior.

The New York Times

For the moment, two important challenges remain outside the scope of Thompson's unit: understanding precisely why mistakes happened and instituting measures to prevent wrongful convictions from happening in the future.

The New Yorker

Although the extinction of the dinosaurs tends to get most of the attention (I'm not bitter, honestly), it is worth considering that plant fossils are excellent indicators of environmental change, and that if we are interested in understanding precisely what happened to life on land at the end of the Cretaceous, then the plant fossil record is a pretty good place to look.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"Rather... that we must talk and reach for common understandings, precisely because all of us are imperfect and can never act with the certainty that God is on our side".

The New Yorker

In his second book, "The Audacity of Hope," Obama wrote: "We must talk and reach for common understandings, precisely because all of us are imperfect and can never act with the certainty that God is on our side".

The New Yorker

A detailed biochemical and systems-level understanding of precisely how oncogenes rewire metabolism is essential to understand tumor biology, but concomitantly requires an assessment of the metabolic adaptations required to support the proliferation of cancer cells.

BMC Biology

In "Private Ryan," of course, the understanding of precisely how today's audience wants to be made to feel about World War II is pitch perfect.

The New York Times - Arts

Instead, he spoke in gnomic phrases, which perhaps did little to further an understanding of precisely how Musar is made, but did much to explain why his audience, and I, find his wines compelling.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "understanding precisely" when you want to emphasize the need for a clear, accurate, and detailed comprehension of a subject or situation. This phrase is particularly useful in academic, scientific, or technical contexts where precision is paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "understanding precisely" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pedantic in situations where a simpler phrase like "clearly understanding" or "getting it" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understanding precisely" functions as a gerund phrase complemented by an adverb, modifying a verb or serving as a noun. It emphasizes the action of comprehending with accuracy and detail, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it's often associated with complex subjects needing thorough grasp.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "understanding precisely" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the importance of a clear, accurate, and detailed comprehension, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a gerund phrase complemented by an adverb, and it is most commonly found in scientific, academic and news-related contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, remember that more straightforward alternatives might be preferable in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accurately comprehending

Emphasizes accuracy in understanding, rather than the act of understanding itself.

clearly grasping

Highlights the clarity of understanding, suggesting an absence of ambiguity.

fully comprehending

Stresses the completeness of understanding, leaving no gaps in knowledge.

exactly knowing

Shifts focus to knowing with exactness, implying a higher degree of certainty.

thoroughly understanding

Indicates a deep and comprehensive level of understanding, leaving no detail unexplored.

definitely understanding

Emphasizes the certainty and lack of doubt in the understanding.

ascertaining accurately

Focuses on the process of finding something out with accuracy.

pinpointing the understanding

Focuses on the ability to identify a precise and particular understanding.

realizing explicitly

Highlights the explicitness and clarity of the realization.

comprehending in detail

Focuses on the detailed nature of the understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "understanding precisely" to emphasize the importance of accurate and detailed comprehension. For example: "The key to solving this problem lies in "understanding precisely" the underlying mechanisms."

What are some alternatives to "understanding precisely"?

Some alternatives include "accurately comprehending", "clearly grasping", or "fully comprehending", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "understanding precisely" or "precisely understanding"?

"Understanding precisely" is the more common and natural phrasing. While "precisely understanding" isn't grammatically incorrect, it sounds less idiomatic.

What's the difference between "understanding" and "understanding precisely"?

"Understanding" implies a general comprehension, while ""understanding precisely"" emphasizes a very accurate, detailed, and complete comprehension.