comprehend

/ˌkɒmprɪˈhend/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhend/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌkäm-pri-ˈhend -prē-/ (ame, mw)

comprehend — verb

  • comprehendpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • comprehendshe / she / it
  • comprehendedpast simple
  • comprehending-ing form

1. to grasp the full meaning or importance of a complex idea, situation, or piece o

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to grasp the full meaning or importance of a complex idea, situation, or piece of information — for example, finally seeing why an old friend stopped writing, or working out how a new law will change daily life.

例句

Romi struggled to comprehend the doctor's explanation of her grandmother's illness.

comprehend + noun phrase: a difficult topic

It took Christopher several days to comprehend that his old neighbourhood had been completely rebuilt.

comprehend + that-clause for a surprising fact

同義詞
  • understand

    everyday neutral verb; 'comprehend' sounds more formal and stresses fuller grasp

  • grasp

    informal and often quicker; suggests catching the main point rather than the whole picture

  • fathom

    usually negative ('cannot fathom'); emphasises difficulty of working something out

反義詞
  • misunderstand

    to take the meaning wrongly rather than fail to take it at all

文法句型

comprehend + noun phrase

comprehend + that-clause

comprehend + wh-clause

comprehend + how/why

用法筆記

Formal alternative to 'understand'; common with abstract or difficult objects (idea, scale, consequences) and with that-/wh-clauses. Often appears in negative or near-negative contexts ('can hardly comprehend', 'fail to comprehend').

常見錯誤

❌I am comprehending the problem now.
✅I understand the problem now.
💡'comprehend' rarely takes the progressive in everyday speech; use 'understand' for ongoing realisation.
❌She comprehended about the new rules.
✅She comprehended the new rules.
💡'comprehend' is transitive; do not insert 'about' before its object.

2. to have something inside a larger total, group, or scope — used when describing

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to have something inside a larger total, group, or scope — used when describing what a category, plan, or area covers, such as a national park that takes in three forest zones, or a job role that covers both teaching and research.

例句

The new arts district comprehends two theatres, a small museum, and the riverside library.

comprehend + list of items it covers

Hassan's research project comprehends both rural schools and city kindergartens across Java.

subject is a project, plan, or scope

同義詞
  • comprise

    more common in this 'consist of' meaning; same formal register

  • include

    neutral and very common; may suggest only part of the whole, while 'comprehend' suggests the full set

  • encompass

    slightly more vivid; often used of broad areas, ideas, or duties

反義詞
  • exclude

    to deliberately leave something out of the group or scope

文法句型

comprehend + noun phrase

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: here the subject is the larger whole (a region, plan, term, programme) and the object is what it contains. 'Comprise' and 'include' are far more common in modern English; this sense survives mainly in formal definitions and academic writing.

常見錯誤

❌The team comprehends of five engineers.
✅The team comprises five engineers.' / 'The team is made up of five engineers.
💡never add 'of' after 'comprehend' or 'comprise'.