I understand from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'I understand from' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to introduce the source of additional information. For example: "I understand from my colleagues that the meeting has been postponed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It seems to me, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare.

Independent

"It seems to be, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, it's really rare.

The New York Times

"I understand from Dr. Milrus that you're having a difficult time," the therapist says.

The New Yorker

First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare.

The New Yorker

I understand from Schall the asst mgr that she sold her Plymouth and went to N.Y.

The New Yorker

And I understand from within the FT he has been as good as his word.

The Guardian

I understand from Frank that Brad's design aspirations coincide with Frank's aspirations for the project.

The Guardian

"I understand from a business perspective where it's coming from," Ms. Sass said.

The New York Times - Books

I understand from the care worker's point of view why substitutes rarely turn up.

The Guardian

"It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare," Akin replied.

The Guardian

"I understand from somebody," Carter said, "that the — " Several delegates interrupted him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I understand from", ensure the source you are referencing is credible to lend weight to your statement. If the source is vague, consider providing more specific details.

Common error

Avoid using "I understand from" without specifying the source when making critical assertions. Providing a clear source enhances your credibility and prevents your statement from appearing as mere hearsay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I understand from" functions as a reporting verb phrase, introducing information derived from a specific source. It indicates the origin of the speaker's knowledge or comprehension, as seen across numerous examples identified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

21%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I understand from" is a versatile phrase used to attribute information to a specific source. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, remember to provide credible sources to bolster your claims. While alternatives like "according to" or "based on what I've heard" exist, "I understand from" clearly indicates a level of comprehension beyond simple reception of information, adding a layer of authority to your statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My understanding is that

Directly states one's interpretation, without strong emphasis on the source.

From my understanding

Focuses on the resulting comprehension rather than the source itself.

The information I have suggests

Puts importance on the information and what it leads to.

According to my sources

Highlights the reliance on specific, often confidential, providers of information.

As I've been informed

Stresses the act of being told something, often in a formal context.

Based on what I've heard

Emphasizes information received aurally, focusing on hearsay or spoken accounts.

I've learned from

Highlights the acquisition of knowledge through instruction or experience.

What I gather is

Suggests a gradual collection of information leading to a conclusion.

I've been given to understand

Implies a more indirect or subtle communication of information.

I've inferred from

Emphasizes drawing a conclusion based on available information.

FAQs

How do I use "I understand from" in a sentence?

Use "I understand from" to introduce information you've learned from a particular source. For example, "I understand from "the news" that the event has been cancelled."

What can I say instead of "I understand from"?

You can use alternatives like "according to", "based on what I heard", or "my understanding is that" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "I understand from" or "I understood from"?

The choice depends on the context. Use "I understand from" for present understanding based on current information. Use "I understood from" for past understanding based on past information.

What's the difference between "I understand from" and "I heard from"?

"I understand from" implies comprehension and interpretation of the information, while "I heard from" simply means you received the information, without necessarily processing it thoroughly.