I understand to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"I understand to be" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express one's understanding or belief about something. Example: "I understand you to be a hardworking and dedicated employee." This means that the speaker's understanding or perception of the person is that they are a hardworking and dedicated employee. Other examples: - "From his speech, I understand him to be a strong advocate for equal rights." - "She wrote a letter to the editor to express what she understood to be the community's concerns." - "Based on the evidence presented, the jury understood the defendant to be guilty." - "I understand this to be a difficult decision, but ultimately it is for the best."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

But what I understand to be the fundamentals of Bendigo culture – understanding and acceptance – cannot have changed that much.

The Guardian - Opinion

They "contradict everything that I understand to be a trusting co-operation between friendly partners".

The Economist

I agree with what I understand to be the holding of the Court that cases which may indicate the contrary are overruled.

Cornell University

In short, they must be police regulations in fact, and not amendments of the charter in curtailment of the corporate franchise.' This I understand to be entirely correct.

Cornell University

"I understand to be correct the allegation that Vale and BHP, as controllers of Samarco, can be classified as indirect polluters and as such responsible for the environmental damage caused," he wrote in his 19-page judgment.

The Guardian

On this question, Justice Potter Stewart was the most direct: "I shall not today attempt... to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within [that definition]..

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

It was what I understood to be the purpose of my life.

The New York Times - Magazine

But what I understood to be the main point of the essay struck me with great force.

MIT Technology Review

Follow Patrick Klepek on Twitter, anDoom you have a news tip you'd like to share, drop him an email.

Vice

"But I also said what I now understand to be hurtful things.

The New York Times - Magazine

The "we" I always understood to be "us", that is.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I understand to be" when you want to convey your current comprehension or interpretation of a situation or concept based on the information available to you. Ensure that the context provides sufficient basis for this understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "I understand to be" when expressing absolute certainty or stating verifiable facts. This phrase indicates a degree of interpretation, so it's inappropriate when definitive statements are needed. Instead, opt for more direct declarations when you're completely sure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I understand to be" primarily functions as a declarative construction, introducing a statement of the speaker's current understanding or interpretation. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it is often used to convey a reasoned conclusion based on available information or personal assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I understand to be" is a versatile phrase employed to articulate a speaker's interpretation or comprehension of a situation or concept. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in contexts such as News & Media and Academia. The phrase's function is to introduce a declarative statement, signalling that the subsequent information represents the speaker's reasoned understanding, not necessarily an absolute truth. While related alternatives like "I believe it to be" or "It is my understanding that it is" offer varying degrees of formality or emphasis, it is important to avoid using the phrase to imply absolute certainty when a level of interpretation is involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I believe it to be

Replaces "understand" with "believe", emphasizing personal conviction rather than comprehension.

I consider it to be

Uses "consider" to suggest a more thoughtful and deliberate judgment.

I take it to mean

Focuses on interpretation and meaning rather than a general understanding.

My understanding is that it is

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase, highlighting the speaker's comprehension.

It is my understanding that it is

Shifts the emphasis to the understanding itself, presenting it as a known fact.

I gather it is

Implies an understanding based on collected information, suggesting a less direct source.

I presume it to be

Suggests an assumption based on available evidence, indicating a degree of uncertainty.

I infer it to be

Highlights a conclusion drawn from reasoning and evidence.

It is my perception that it is

Replaces "understanding" with "perception", emphasizing a personal viewpoint.

I deduce that it is

Emphasizes a logical conclusion reached through reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "I understand to be" in a sentence?

Use "I understand to be" to express your current comprehension or interpretation of something. For instance, "I understand him to be a reliable source of information" indicates your perception based on your experience.

What's a good alternative to "I understand to be" if I want to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "It is my understanding that it is". This shifts the emphasis to the understanding itself and presents it more objectively.

Is it better to say "I understand to be" or "I believe to be"?

The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "I understand to be" suggests comprehension based on available information, while "I believe it to be" emphasizes personal conviction or opinion.

How does "I understand to be" differ from "I know to be"?

"I know to be" indicates certainty and direct knowledge. In contrast, "I understand to be" suggests a level of interpretation or inference based on the information you have. The former implies a fact, the latter a reasoned conclusion.