It is understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It is understandable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when acknowledging that a situation or reaction is reasonable or justifiable. Example: "Given the circumstances, it is understandable that you feel overwhelmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is understandable, but counter-productive.

Independent

It is understandable to a certain extent.

The Guardian - Sport

It is understandable that he did not look ready.

The New York Times - Sports

It is understandable that she has a political agenda.

The New York Times

It is understandable that it should be so.

The New York Times

It is understandable that Mr. Geithner at times feels spent.

The New York Times

It is understandable that many companies refuse to face reality.

The New York Times

It is understandable that some voters might be skeptical.

The New York Times

It is understandable that comptrollers prefer the current system.

The New York Times

It is understandable that Mr. Kalmanson watches his money.

The New York Times

It is understandable that the Kazakhs are suspicious.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "It is understandable" when you want to convey empathy or acceptance of a situation, even if you don't necessarily agree with it. This can soften the tone and show understanding.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing "It is understandable" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to convey understanding or acceptance, such as "This is justifiable due to..." or "The rationale for this is...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It is understandable" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing that a particular action, feeling, or situation is reasonable or justifiable. Ludwig examples show its use in acknowledging and validating perspectives. It frequently introduces an explanation or softens a potentially critical statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "It is understandable" serves as a versatile phrase to express empathy and recognition of reasonable situations or behaviors. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent use in news, science, and formal contexts. While various alternatives exist, such as "It makes sense" or "It's reasonable", each carries slight nuances in formality and emphasis. Writers should be mindful of these nuances to ensure precise communication in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It makes sense

This alternative is more informal and direct.

It's reasonable

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way to express the same idea.

It stands to reason

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes logical deduction.

One can understand

This alternative uses a more impersonal tone and focuses on the ability to comprehend.

It's easy to see why

This alternative emphasizes the clarity and obviousness of the reasons behind something.

That's to be expected

This alternative focuses on the predictability of the situation or reaction.

It's not surprising

This alternative emphasizes the lack of surprise in the situation.

It is only natural

This alternative suggests that something is a normal and expected response.

It is conceivable

This alternative highlights the possibility or likelihood of something.

That's perfectly normal

This alternative emphasizes the normality of the situation or reaction.

FAQs

What does "It is understandable" mean?

The phrase "It is understandable" means that something is reasonable, logical, or expected, given the circumstances. It indicates empathy or acceptance of a situation or behavior.

How can I use "It is understandable" in a sentence?

You can use "It is understandable" to introduce an explanation or justification for something. For instance, "Given the difficulties, "it is understandable" that he felt frustrated."

What are some alternatives to saying "It is understandable"?

Alternatives to "It is understandable" include "it makes sense", "it is reasonable", or "that is to be expected" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "It is understandable" and "It is understandable that"?

While both are correct, "It is understandable that" is often followed by a clause explaining why something is understandable. "It is understandable" can also stand alone or be followed by a noun phrase, implying a general understanding without specific explanation.