I understand with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I understand with" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. A more appropriate phrase would typically be "I understand" or "I understand that." Example: "I understand that you are facing challenges with the project timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I understand with two knockdowns people felt he won.

The Guardian - Sport

For all these reasons, I understand with terrible clarity that my plight can never change.

The New Yorker

"I understand, with the whole boxes and corporations and so on and so on".

The New York Times - Sports

And I understand, with that backdrop, why people might think fighting climate change seems a costly diversion.

Independent

"From what I understand, with all that done, this is a good time to buy a home," he said.

The New York Times

People said that it could be about ratings, which I understand with regard to the Manchester United-Tottenham game.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

What I understood, I understood with awe, amazement and absolute belief.

The Guardian - Books

I understood with a sinking feeling that I was supposed to keep talking.

The New Yorker

Somehow I understood with utter clarity: I could lose the baby.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was only as I watched her fill Gadbois's glass that I understood, with a start, that the old man was blind.

The New Yorker

"At that very moment, I understood with perfect clarity that there was no way this thing could end well," Donaghy wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "I understand with" in formal writing. Instead, use phrases like "I understand that", "I comprehend", or "I realize" for clearer and more grammatically sound communication. Remember that while some instances may appear in informal contexts, they are generally considered incorrect.

Common error

A common mistake is pairing "understand" with the wrong preposition. While "I understand" or "I understand that" are correct, "I understand with" is generally not. Be mindful of the correct grammatical structure to maintain clarity and avoid miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I understand with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The verb "understand" typically functions transitively, requiring a direct object or a "that" clause to complete its meaning. Ludwig highlights that it doesn't follow standard English grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I understand with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. While some examples appear in news and media sources, these instances do not validate its correctness. Ludwig's analysis indicates that more appropriate alternatives include phrases like "I understand that", "I comprehend", or simply "I understand". It is crucial to use correct grammatical structures to ensure clear and effective communication in both formal and informal contexts. Therefore, avoid using the phrase "I understand with" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I understand that

Replaces the preposition "with" with the conjunction "that" to introduce a clause explaining what is understood.

I comprehend that

Uses a stronger verb, "comprehend", to indicate understanding, followed by "that" to introduce the understood information.

I grasp that

Employs "grasp" to convey a firm understanding, using "that" to specify what is being understood.

I realize that

Substitutes "understand" with "realize", suggesting an understanding that dawns upon the speaker, followed by "that".

I am aware that

Replaces the verb with "am aware", indicating knowledge or consciousness of something, linked by "that".

I recognize that

Uses "recognize" to express an acknowledgement or understanding of a fact or situation, followed by "that".

I appreciate that

Employs "appreciate" to show an understanding, often with a connotation of gratitude or acknowledgment, linked by "that".

I see that

Offers a simpler, more direct way of expressing understanding or realization using "see", followed by "that".

I take it that

Uses "take it" to mean infer or understand something, often based on available information, linked by "that".

It's my understanding that

Expresses understanding as a personal interpretation or knowledge, using a more formal and indirect phrasing with "that".

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "I understand with"?

The phrase "I understand with" is not standard English. More appropriate alternatives include "I understand that", "I comprehend", or "I grasp".

Is "I understand with" grammatically correct?

No, "I understand with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing usually involves "I understand that" or simply "I understand".

How can I use "understand" correctly in a sentence?

Use "understand" followed by a direct object or a "that" clause. For example, "I understand the problem" or "I understand that you're facing challenges".

What's the difference between "I understand" and "I understand with"?

"I understand" is a complete and grammatically sound phrase. "I understand with" is not standard English and should be avoided.