I understood by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I understood by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express how you came to a particular understanding or interpretation of something. Example: "I understood by the tone of her voice that she was upset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Still, however inspiring, this was not quite what I understood by ecstasy.

The New York Times - Arts

In particular, I understood by instinct what lay behind the sudden changes of direction that affected Rooney's paw as it made its uncertain journey around the moon of his head.

Independent

"I was fine with having a child, but it involved a 180-degree turn on what I understood by 'gay', and I was aware that it was a complete step into the unknown.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I understood by then, acutely, that I needed Charlie, probably Atlantic Media's single most-beloved leader, to hold the center.

HuffPost

I understood by the end that the offender was everyone's boss not only in that room but at that site, hence the silent reaction.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I understand by seeing.

The New Yorker

Explaining what I understand by my Britishness is much easier.

The Guardian

And that, really, is what I think I understand by gun control.

The Economist

"But the life I understand by way of books feels increasingly lonely.

The Guardian - Books

It doesn't really look like what I understand by friendship, the two of them sitting in the garden of Louis's house in 2001.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Presaging the literal isolation he sought on Masafuera, Franzen wrote, "The life I understand by way of books feels increasingly lonely.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I understood by" when you want to emphasize the specific means or method through which you gained understanding. It's helpful for clarifying the source of your knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "I understood by" when a simple "I understood" suffices. The 'by' adds value only when specifying the source or method of understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I understood by" functions as a clause element indicating how understanding was achieved. It specifies the method, source, or means through which comprehension occurred. Ludwig AI provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I understood by" is a grammatically correct phrase used to specify how an understanding was reached. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's best used when emphasizing the method or source of comprehension, as shown in the provided examples from diverse sources like news and business publications. While it's not a very common phrase, understanding its proper usage, as well as its related alternatives, such as "I gathered from" or "I inferred from", can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I gathered from

Focuses on collecting information from various sources to form an understanding.

I inferred from

Emphasizes drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning.

I deduced from

Highlights a logical and systematic process of reaching a conclusion.

I learned from

Stresses the acquisition of knowledge or skill through experience or study.

I realized through

Focuses on gaining awareness or comprehension as a result of a specific experience or process.

I perceived from

Emphasizes using the senses to gain understanding.

I ascertained from

Highlights the act of discovering something with certainty.

I concluded based on

Focuses on forming an opinion or judgment after considering the evidence.

My understanding is based on

Shifts the focus to the foundation of one's understanding.

I came to understand via

Implies a process of gradual understanding through a particular method or channel.

FAQs

How can I use "I understood by" in a sentence?

Use "I understood by" when you want to explicitly state how you came to a particular understanding. For example, "I understood by her silence that she disagreed."

What can I say instead of "I understood by"?

You can use alternatives like "I gathered from", "I inferred from", or "I deduced from" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "I understood by" and "I understood from"?

"I understood by" and "I understood from" are often interchangeable, but "I understood by" emphasizes the method or means, while "I understood from" emphasizes the source of the information.

Is it always necessary to include 'by' after 'I understood'?

No, it's not always necessary. Only include 'by' when you want to specify how you came to your understanding. Otherwise, "I understood" is sufficient.