all of them understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all of them understood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group of people who have comprehended something that was communicated to them. Example: "After the presentation, it was clear that all of them understood the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

All of them understood Batlle's conscientious farming — and they were willing to pay enough to allow her to keep at it.

The New Yorker

Yet even then, while all of them understood and felt deeply the import of the service they were holding, "There wasn't much talking going on.

The New York Times

All of them understood uniquely, absolutely, and bravely what it was like to be a woman, to be trapped in situations, and to summon up the fortitude to overcome them, expressed in novels and stories.

Huffington Post

We have found that among 85 unregulated care providers who participated in the pilot survey, all of them understood the report but only 61% found the report useful.

BMC Geriatrics

All of them understood and felt the negative consequences; one articulated it this way: "I really kept myself isolated most of the time.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Not all of them understand when I write something on the board, or put in a video.

The New York Times

Jean-Yves Camus, a French academic who studies the extreme right, says the 'quenelle' has become a "badge of identity, especially among the young, but it is doubtful that all of them understand its true meaning".

Independent

All of them understand, in broad strokes, that soft money is less regulated and more easily abused than other contributions, even if they are shaky on the technicalities of the candidates' pledge.

The New York Times

The risk, however, in playing tea parties on a national scale is that you're playing with millions of toddlers at once, and not all of them understand the tea isn't real.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jean-Yves Camus, a French academic who studies the extreme right, told the Independent the quenelle has become a "badge of identity, especially among the young, but it is doubtful that all of them understand its true meaning".

BBC

However, none of them understood my problem.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all of them understood" when you want to emphasize that every single member of a group has comprehension of a particular concept or situation. It highlights complete and shared understanding.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "all of them understood" can sound slightly informal. In highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "they all comprehended" or "each of them grasped" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all of them understood" functions as a statement indicating comprehension by every member of a specific group. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in contexts ranging from conscientious farming practices to historical services and unregulated care provision.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all of them understood" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating that every member of a group comprehended something. Ludwig highlights its use across diverse sources, mainly in news, media and scientific contexts. While its frequency is uncommon, it effectively conveys a shared and complete understanding. The phrase has a neutral register, lending itself to various writing styles. As noted by Ludwig AI, alternative phrases like "they all comprehended" or "each of them grasped" may offer a more formal tone in specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they all comprehended

Replaces "understood" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing complete understanding.

each of them grasped

Uses "grasped" to indicate seizing understanding, suggesting a more immediate comprehension.

they shared a common understanding

Emphasizes the commonality of the understanding among the group.

every one of them got it

An informal way of saying they understood, typically used in casual conversation.

they were all aware

Shifts the focus to awareness rather than explicit understanding, suitable when the context implies understanding through awareness.

they all realized

Indicates a sudden understanding or realization, fitting when the understanding is of a realization or discovery.

each one was cognizant

Replaces the phrase with a more formal and emphasized version. Good when a formal tone is needed.

they all perceived

Focuses on their perception or interpretation of something, which might lead to understanding.

everybody was on the same page

Idiomatic expression meaning everyone had the same understanding or shared knowledge.

they were all in agreement

Indicates shared agreement or consensus, which often implies a prior shared understanding.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "all of them understood"?

Use "all of them understood" when you want to emphasize that every individual within a specific group fully comprehended something. It's suitable when highlighting a complete and shared understanding among all members.

What are some alternatives to "all of them understood" that I can use?

Alternatives include "they all comprehended", "each of them grasped", or "every one of them got it", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is there a more formal way to express "all of them understood"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include phrases like "they all comprehended" or "each one was cognizant". These options are better suited for academic or professional writing.

How does "all of them understood" differ from "they all understood"?

"All of them understood" emphasizes that every single member of the group understood, whereas "they all understood" simply indicates that the group as a whole understood. The former is slightly more emphatic.