I understood from

USAGE SUMMARY

"I understood from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce information that you heard or learned from someone else. For example: "I understood from my teacher that the exam would be difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

And I understood from seeing Bill Marriott's eyes that you have to be who you are.

The New York Times

And I understood from our relations that human beings can't be reduced.

The New Yorker

I understood from the beginning that I'm not going to end up like Hunter Thompson.

Harvard Business Review

"I understood from the people around him he was a terrorist.

The Guardian

I understood from the start that no two people ever have sex the same way, even with the same people.

The New Yorker

"I understood from the beginning that it was really a challenge, because there was no medical school," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times - Books

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

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "I understood from" with specific details about the source (e.g., "I understood from the project manager...") to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "I understood from" excessively in formal writing; consider active voice constructions for a more direct and assertive tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I understood from" is to attribute information or understanding to a specific source. It introduces information that has been received and comprehended from another person or medium. Ludwig confirms the validity of this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I understood from" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that information or understanding has been derived from a specific source. As Ludwig shows, it's widely used in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While versatile, being mindful of alternative phrases, such as "I gathered from" or "I inferred from", can enrich your writing. Remember to clearly specify the source to enhance credibility and to avoid over-reliance on passive voice in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I gathered from

Focuses on collecting information from various sources.

I inferred from

Highlights drawing a conclusion based on available information.

I learned from

Emphasizes acquiring knowledge or skills.

I heard from

Specifically indicates receiving information through auditory means or direct communication.

I was informed by

Highlights that information was provided directly.

According to what I heard

More formal way to introduce information you received from someone.

From what I could tell

Indicates a personal assessment based on available evidence.

My impression was

Focuses on the subjective understanding derived from information.

I came to believe based on

Expresses a conviction formed after receiving information.

Based on what I was told

Highlights reliance on information provided by others.

FAQs

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

Use "I understood from" to indicate the source of your information. For example, "I understood from "my colleague" that the deadline was extended".

What are some alternatives to "I understood from"?

You can use alternatives such as "I gathered from", "I inferred from", or "I learned from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I understood from what he said"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. However, you could also say "I understood from him" for brevity.

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

"I understood from" implies a comprehension of information, while "I heard from" simply means you received information, not necessarily understood it.