appear to have understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to have understood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone seems to have grasped a concept or information, often based on their behavior or responses. Example: "After the discussion, the students appear to have understood the complex topic we covered in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Climate negotiators heading to Paris this month did not appear to have understood the widespread impact that global warming has already had on Earth.

The Guardian

"The vote last August was a plebiscite on his government and he lost, but he doesn't appear to have understood the results".

The New York Times

She said he was "a man who I know has made some effort but he does not appear to have understood the depth of the problem at this particular detention centre".

The Guardian

And now that wise American heads appear to have understood that it would be wrong to bomb the impoverished, oppressed Afghan people in retaliation for their tyrannous masters' misdeeds, they might apply that wisdom, retrospectively, to what was done to the impoverished, oppressed people of Iraq.

The Guardian - Books

At some point there may well be a younger sibling - but perhaps just the one, as the Royal Family appear to have understood the problems of producing too many young royals, all of whom require a role.

BBC

Follow Joe Veix on Twitter.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Many student protesters called Mr. Lee authoritarian and the president appeared to have understood the irony.

The New York Times

Although the O.T.S. had warned A.I.G.'s board about inadequate risk oversight, no one in the government appears to have understood the potential scope of the problem.

The New Yorker

Though his efforts were small, tentative and mostly frustrated, he appeared to have understood what it took to produce lasting change.

The Guardian - Opinion

Reagan appears to have understood, with the force of untrained instinct, that, whatever the medium in hand, the great thing was the grab.

The New Yorker

The senior official who briefed reporters today said Mr. Hussein appeared to have understood the message, "and he didn't cross that line".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context when using this phrase. While generally acceptable, more formal settings might benefit from synonyms like "comprehended" or "realized" to convey a more certain tone.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to have understood" when direct confirmation of someone's understanding exists. Overusing the phrase might make your writing sound unnecessarily hesitant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to have understood" functions as a modal verb construction expressing a tentative assessment of someone's comprehension. It suggests an inference based on observation rather than direct knowledge, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appear to have understood" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that expresses a tentative assessment of someone's understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers alternatives like "seem to have grasped". While versatile, more direct synonyms may be preferable in formal or scientific writing. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for news and general communication, and it frequently occurs in both news media and scientific contexts. Be mindful of context to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to have grasped

Emphasizes a tentative understanding based on observation.

appear to have comprehended

A more formal synonym, stressing complete understanding.

look like they understood

Suggests understanding based on visual cues or behavior.

appear to have realised

Focuses on the moment of understanding or becoming aware.

appear to have recognised

Stresses acknowledgment or identification of something.

give the impression of understanding

Highlights the perception of understanding, which may not be genuine.

appear to have become aware

Emphasizes a gradual process of understanding.

appear to have taken on board

Focuses on accepting and integrating new information or ideas.

appear to have internalized

Highlights a deep level of understanding and acceptance.

appear to have gotten the message

Suggests understanding a subtle or indirect communication.

FAQs

How can I use "appear to have understood" in a sentence?

You can use "appear to have understood" to suggest that someone seems to have grasped a concept, based on their behavior or responses. For example: "After the explanation, the students "appear to have understood" the material".

What's a more formal alternative to "appear to have understood"?

A more formal alternative could be "seem to have comprehended" or "seem to have realized", which convey a similar meaning with a more serious tone.

Is it correct to say "appears to have understood" instead of "appear to have understood"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct. Use "appears" with singular subjects (e.g., "He appears to have understood"), and "appear" with plural subjects (e.g., "They appear to have understood").

What is the difference between "appear to have understood" and "seem to have understood"?

Both phrases are very similar in meaning, suggesting a tentative conclusion about someone's understanding. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference, though "seem" might imply a slightly stronger sense of certainty.