I understood with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I understood with" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a complete thought or meaning. Example: "I understood with the help of my teacher."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 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

I knew that neither Linda nor I would be able to say anything to make her react like that, and I understood with the immediate clarity of an insight that she was not ours.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 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

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

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "I understood with" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically correct and clear alternatives such as "I understood" or "I came to understand".

Common error

Don't use "with" to describe how understanding was achieved. Instead of "I understood with perfect clarity", use "I understood with perfect clarity", "I understood clearly", or specify the means of understanding: "I understood through her explanation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I understood with" is often used to describe the manner in which someone comprehends something, but it's grammatically awkward. Although Ludwig provides examples, the phrase is not considered standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I understood with" appears in various contexts, but it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. While Ludwig provides examples, the structure is awkward and doesn't follow typical English grammar rules. It's better to use clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives such as "I understood clearly" or "I came to understand". Though "I understood with" might be encountered in informal contexts, avoiding it in formal writing is advisable for clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I understood clearly

Emphasizes the clarity of understanding.

I immediately understood

Highlights the speed of comprehension.

I came to understand

Focuses on the process of reaching understanding.

I grasped the meaning

Highlights a firm understanding.

I comprehended fully

Emphasizes the completeness of understanding.

I realized suddenly

Indicates a sudden moment of understanding.

I discerned with ease

Focuses on effortlessly gaining understanding.

Understanding dawned on me

Presents understanding as an arrival or realization.

I had an epiphany

Highlights a profound moment of sudden insight.

I saw the light

Emphasizes a sudden and enlightening understanding.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound way to say "I understood with"?

Consider alternatives like "I understood clearly", "I immediately understood", or simply "I understood". The addition of "with" is often unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.

Is it ever correct to use "I understood with"?

While uncommon, you might use it if "with" is followed by a noun phrase specifying what something accompanied: "I understood the explanation with examples". However, rewriting the sentence for clarity is often preferable.

What can I say instead of "I understood with absolute clarity"?

Alternatives include "I understood with absolute clarity", "I understood immediately", or "I grasped the concept fully". You could also say, "I understood it perfectly".

How can I make my writing sound more formal than using "I understood with"?

For a more formal tone, try phrases like "I comprehended fully", "I came to understand", or "The meaning became clear to me". Avoid the informal construction of "I understood with".