I understood at that time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I understood at that time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific moment in the past when you gained clarity or comprehension about a situation. Example: "Looking back, I realized that I understood at that time the importance of making the right decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is important to add that this person immediately said, 'I understood at the time that things would happen that way and I understood fully' (IVF1 439 482).

Human Reproduction

Neither the women nor I understood at the time that they expressed their feelings through their songs.

The New Yorker

"I understood at the time that it was to be an entirely independent study into the feasibility of resettlement," Snoxell said.

The Guardian

"I think there's more things that are involved than I understood at the time," he said.

The New York Times

That's what I understood at the time.

Vice

Out of tune — or out of anything I understood at the time as "tune".

The New Yorker

I don't think I even understood at that time that Tintin was part of an escape from reality.

Huffington Post

Zafar: When I decided to go into oncology, one thing I never really understood at that time, was that the practice of oncology is about 95% communication and about 5% actually doling out drugs.

Duke University

Yesterday, when asked if he had made any mistakes, he answered, "I think that we did this properly, as it was understood at that time, and I'm happy with what we did".

The New York Times

"It was understood at that time that the city would maintain the signs," Mr. Sandler said.

The New York Times

Illnesses relating to their excess or deficiency were also beginning to be understood at that time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I understood at that time" to clearly indicate that your understanding was specific to a past moment and may have evolved since. This avoids implying current understanding if it no longer applies.

Common error

Avoid using "I understood at that time" if your understanding persists to the present. Instead, use "I understand" or "I understood" without the time qualifier to indicate ongoing comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I understood at that time" functions as a statement of past comprehension. It's used to convey that the speaker had a certain level of understanding during a specific period in the past. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I understood at that time" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to denote comprehension during a specific period in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, its function is to provide context and clarity regarding a past state of knowledge which may or may not align with the current understanding. While applicable across various registers, it finds common usage in news, media, scientific, and academic settings. When employing the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the temporal nature of your understanding and avoid its use if the comprehension continues to this present moment. Alternative phrases like "I realized then" or "that's when I understood" can offer more concise alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I realized then

More concise and emphasizes the moment of realization.

That's when I understood

Focuses on the time as the trigger for understanding.

I grasped it then

Emphasizes a quick or sudden understanding.

I came to understand it then

Highlights the process of understanding over time, culminating at that point.

I had an understanding at the time

Focuses on possessing understanding during that specific period

At that point, I comprehended

More formal and emphasizes complete understanding.

It became clear to me then

Indicates a gradual revelation of understanding.

I was aware then that

Indicates a realization of a specific fact or situation.

In retrospect, I understood

Highlights that the understanding is clearer now than it was then.

I knew then

Implies a deeper level of certainty and knowledge.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I understood at that time"?

You can use alternatives like "I realized then", "I grasped it then", or "that's when I understood" depending on the context.

Is "I understood at that time" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I understood at that time" is grammatically correct. It clearly indicates a past understanding specific to a certain period.

How do I use "I understood at that time" in a sentence?

Use "I understood at that time" to clarify that your comprehension of something was limited to a specific moment in the past, implying that your understanding might be different now. For example: "I understood at that time that it was the right decision."

What's the difference between "I understood" and "I understood at that time"?

"I understood" implies a general past understanding. "I understood at that time" specifies that your understanding was specific to a particular moment and does not necessarily reflect your current understanding.