It was understood that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It was understood that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a shared assumption or agreement that is not explicitly stated but is generally accepted by the parties involved. Example: "It was understood that all team members would contribute equally to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

At Vertigo, "it was understood that not all of the titles would make money," Ms. Wilson said.

The New York Times - Books

It was understood that the hospitality would not be returned.

The New Yorker

It was understood that there was something charming about me.

The New Yorker

It was understood that I wouldn't write anything that would jeopardize their security.

The New York Times

It was understood that the doctor wouldn't say anything to Polina's parents.

The New Yorker

It was understood that if they did not leave, their lives would be in danger.

The New York Times

It was understood that Iran's nuclear question would be kept off the agenda.

The Economist

It was understood that employees were being informed of the job losses this morning.

Independent

It was understood that there would be "no histrionics" about the gifts, Mr. van Dalen said.

The New York Times - Arts

It was understood that employees were being informed of the job losses on Thursday morning.

The Guardian - Business

It was understood that Mr. Guldi's request for a permanent sound barrier would come later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was understood that" to indicate a shared understanding or agreement without needing to specify who held that understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "it was understood that" excessively in formal or academic writing where explicitly stating the agreement or understanding adds clarity and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It was understood that" functions as a clause introducer, setting up a statement that reflects a shared assumption, tacit agreement, or common knowledge. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase commonly prefaces an explanation of a previously unstated, but recognized fact or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "It was understood that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce information accepted or assumed within a context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news, media and scientific writing. Alternatives like "It was agreed that" or "It was assumed that" offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis. While adaptable, writers should avoid overuse in overly formal contexts, where explicit statements may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It was tacitly agreed that

Emphasizes a silent agreement without explicit verbalization.

It was implicitly known that

Focuses on the knowledge being understood without direct communication.

It was generally accepted that

Highlights widespread agreement or belief.

It was taken for granted that

Suggests the understanding was so common it was assumed.

It was presupposed that

Indicates an assumption made beforehand as a basis for something.

It was the assumption that

Directly states the understanding was based on an assumption.

It was the unwritten rule that

Highlights that the understanding is an established custom.

It was conventional wisdom that

Implies the understanding is a widely held belief, possibly outdated.

Everyone knew that

More informal way of stating a commonly understood fact.

The assumption was

More direct and concise way to state the understood information.

FAQs

How can I use "It was understood that" in a sentence?

Use "It was understood that" to introduce a piece of information generally accepted or assumed among a group, without necessarily being explicitly stated. For example, "It was understood that all team members would contribute equally to the project".

What are some alternatives to "It was understood that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "It was agreed that", "It was assumed that", or "It was taken for granted that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "It was understood that" formal or informal?

"It was understood that" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although in very formal writing, it may be preferable to state the understanding more explicitly for clarity and impact.

What's the difference between "It was understood that" and "It was agreed that"?

"It was understood that" implies a tacit agreement or shared assumption, while "It was agreed that" suggests a more explicit and formally acknowledged agreement.