Understand this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Understand this" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the importance of a statement or idea that follows, urging the reader to pay attention. Example: "Understand this: your actions have consequences that affect not only you but also those around you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Understand this," he continues.

The New York Times

Understand this.

Huffington Post

Understand this carefully.

WikiHow

Understand this trick.

WikiHow

Some countries understand this.

The New York Times

Fenella doesn't understand this.

The New Yorker

They won't understand this".

The New York Times

To understand this.

The New Yorker

Anyone can understand this.

The Economist

I understand this.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Readers understand this.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Understand this" to introduce a crucial piece of information that the audience needs to fully grasp the subsequent points. For example, when presenting complex data, precede the explanation with "Understand this: the correlation doesn't imply causation."

Common error

Avoid using "Understand this" excessively in casual conversation, as it can come across as condescending. Instead, opt for more conversational phrases like "Just so you know" or "It's important to realize" to maintain a friendly tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Understand this" functions as an imperative, directing the listener or reader to pay close attention to the information that follows. It serves to highlight the importance of the subsequent statement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Understand this" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, predominantly found in news and media contexts. It acts as an imperative, highlighting the importance of the information that follows. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various reliable sources. While generally neutral to slightly formal, it's best to avoid overuse in highly informal settings to prevent sounding condescending. Related phrases like "take note of this" offer milder alternatives when a less direct tone is preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Take note of this

Emphasizes the importance of remembering the following information.

Consider this point

Directs attention to a specific idea for thoughtful evaluation.

Bear this in mind

Advises keeping something important in one's thoughts.

Grasp this concept

Highlights the necessity of fully comprehending an idea.

Realize this fact

Stresses the importance of acknowledging a particular truth.

Recognize this truth

Focuses on accepting a given reality.

Pay attention to this

Draws focus to something needing careful observation.

Mark my words

Emphasizes the speaker's conviction about a future event.

Let me make this clear

Introduces a statement intended to remove any ambiguity.

Get this straight

Expresses the need for clear and unambiguous understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "Understand this" in a sentence?

You can use "Understand this" to emphasize a crucial point or introduce information that is essential for comprehension. For instance, "Understand this: your choices have consequences."

What is a less direct way to say "Understand this"?

Alternatives include "take note of this", "consider this point", or "bear this in mind", which can be less forceful depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "Understand this"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "Understand this" is grammatically correct. It functions as an imperative to draw the listener or reader's attention to what follows.

What is the difference between "Understand this" and "Do you understand this"?

"Understand this" is a statement used to emphasize a point. "Do you understand this" is a question asking for confirmation of comprehension.