are understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, ideas, or feelings that are comprehended or acknowledged by someone. Example: "In our team meetings, we ensure that all expectations are understood by every member to avoid confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Other things are understood.

The New York Times

Celtic are understood to be one.

The Guardian - Sport

Concussions are understood to be especially damaging.

The Guardian - Sport

Both men are understood to deny wrongdoing.

The Guardian - Business

The vast majority are understood to be overwhelmingly negative.

The Guardian

The above allegations are understood not to be against Smith.

The Guardian

Landsbanki and other creditors are understood to be owed £1bn.

The Guardian - Business

About 130 staff are understood to have taken voluntary redundancy.

The Guardian

But the witnesses are understood to be civilians.

The Guardian

Talks with ThyssenKrupp are understood to be progressing well.

The Guardian - Business

The men are understood to have changed under the bridge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are understood" to convey a sense of general acceptance or common knowledge about a topic.

Common error

Avoid using "are understood" without a clear indication of who understands. For example, instead of "It is understood", specify "It is understood by the team" to eliminate ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are understood" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject receives the action of understanding. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig, with numerous examples demonstrating its common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are understood" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. Ludwig confirms its widespread applicability. It's crucial to ensure clarity regarding who is doing the understanding to avoid ambiguity. The phrase is versatile, fitting into neutral to formal registers and serving the purpose of conveying comprehension or agreement. It commonly appears in "News & Media" and "Science", making it a valuable asset in diverse writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are comprehended

Replaces "understood" with a synonym, emphasizing thorough grasping of the concept.

are grasped

Emphasizes the act of seizing or fully understanding something.

are acknowledged

Stresses the acceptance or admission of something as true or valid.

are recognized

Highlights the acknowledgement or awareness of something.

are agreed upon

Shifts focus to a consensus or mutual understanding.

are known

Focuses on the state of being generally or widely known, rather than necessarily understood.

are clear

Indicates a state of being easily understood; free from ambiguity.

are perceived

Focuses on how something is interpreted or viewed by others.

are appreciated

Adds a layer of value or positive regard to the understanding.

are appreciated

Suggests that the concepts are not just understood but valued and recognized for their importance.

FAQs

How can I use "are understood" in a sentence?

You can use "are understood" to indicate that concepts, rules, or expectations are comprehended by a specific group or generally known. For example, "The terms of the agreement "are understood" by all parties involved".

What's the difference between "are understood" and "are known"?

"Are understood" implies comprehension and grasping the meaning, whereas "are known" simply means being aware of something's existence. For example, the risks of smoking "are known", but the precise mechanisms "are understood" by scientists.

What can I say instead of "are understood"?

You can use alternatives like "are comprehended", "are grasped", or "are acknowledged" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is understood" instead of "are understood"?

The choice between "is understood" and "are understood" depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "is understood" for singular subjects and "are understood" for plural subjects. For example, "The concept "is understood"" versus "The concepts "are understood"".