I didn't understand that

USAGE SUMMARY

"I didn't understand that" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has said or written something that you don't comprehend or make sense of. For example, "My colleague tried to explain the new accounting procedures to me, but I didn't understand that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

At the time I didn't understand that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I didn't understand that would be the only time".

The New Yorker

"When I was out there, I didn't understand that was happening – out of sight, out of mind.

The Guardian

"I didn't understand that was wrong at the time but now I do".

BBC

I didn't understand that would upset him.

Vice

People got up in arms, apparently because of 9/11, but I didn't understand that.

Huffington Post

"I didn't understand that concept.

The New York Times - Sports

M: I didn't understand that at all.

The New Yorker

"I didn't understand that there was still a class system.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

For some time I felt I did not understand that.

Vice

Don't think I don't understand that.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I didn't understand that" to express a lack of comprehension politely and directly. Ensure the context clarifies what "that" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "I didn't understand that" without clearly establishing what "that" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the listener or reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I didn't understand that" functions as a declarative clause used to express a lack of comprehension. Ludwig AI states that it is both correct and usable. It directly communicates the speaker's inability to understand a specific point or concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I didn't understand that" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It's most frequently found in News & Media contexts and serves to politely signal a need for clarification. When using this phrase, ensure that the reference of "that" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "I didn't get that" or "That was unclear to me" can be used for variety, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I didn't get that

More informal and direct way to express lack of understanding.

I couldn't grasp that

Implies an attempt to understand but failing to do so.

That didn't make sense to me

Focuses on the lack of logical coherence from the speaker's perspective.

That was unclear to me

Shifts the focus to the lack of clarity in the information presented.

I failed to comprehend that

More formal and emphasizes a complete lack of understanding.

I was unable to understand that

Formal, indicating an inability to process the information.

That was beyond my comprehension

Highlights the complexity or difficulty in understanding something.

I didn't realize that

Indicates a lack of awareness or prior knowledge.

I missed that

A less formal way of saying you didn't catch or understand something.

That went over my head

An idiom suggesting the information was too complex to understand.

FAQs

What does "I didn't understand that" mean?

It means the speaker failed to comprehend something that was said or implied. It's a polite way to express confusion or a lack of understanding.

What can I say instead of "I didn't understand that"?

You can use alternatives like "I didn't get that", "I failed to comprehend that", or "That was unclear to me" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I didn't understand that"?

Yes, "I didn't understand that" follows standard English grammar rules. It's a correct and commonly used phrase.

When is it appropriate to use "I didn't understand that"?

Use it when you genuinely didn't comprehend something and want to politely express that you need clarification or a different explanation.