are understood by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are understood by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how certain concepts, ideas, or messages are comprehended by individuals or groups. Example: "The instructions provided are understood by all team members, ensuring everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The speeches are understood by both Arabs and non-Arabs, even by Chinese.

The New York Times

Other documents ask a series of questions to gauge how well Prevent duties are understood by public sector workers.

The Guardian

It is our job to ensure that the candidate's skills and capabilities are understood by the decision maker.

The Guardian

"There are the words that are said, and the words that are received, the words that are understood by listeners".

The New York Times

First, these investments carry big risks, and it will be imperative to ensure that those risks are understood by all investors.

The New York Times

There is no reason to believe those children's interests are better understood by disability rights activists without cognitive impairments than they are understood by the children's parents.

The Guardian - Opinion

Things are understood by being shown to be like other things: the uterus is like a cosmos, the blood like rivers, the world is a microcosm.

The New Yorker

Beyond the daily thrust of politics, the ways in which poverty is talked about and how its causes are understood by wider society matters greatly.

The Guardian

Among the official duties of the chief scientist is "to ensure that the scientific method, risk and uncertainty are understood by the public".

The Guardian - Opinion

Once all the legal issues are understood by the husband and wife, then the parties may be able to reduce their costs.

The New York Times

The goals of the 1996 law and the intent of Congress are understood by Mrs. Cain and her colleagues at the welfare office here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the subject performing the understanding is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "the rules are understood by", specify "the rules are understood by the employees".

Common error

While "are understood by" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing less direct. Consider rephrasing to use active voice where appropriate, such as "the employees understand the rules" instead of "the rules are understood by the employees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are understood by" functions as part of the passive voice construction, indicating that a subject receives understanding from an actor. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are understood by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for expressing passive understanding. As Ludwig confirms, its usage spans across diverse contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. To enhance clarity, specifying the subject of understanding is crucial, and opting for active voice can often lend more directness. Related alternatives include "are comprehended by" and "are grasped by". While correct, be mindful of overusing passive voice; active constructions can create more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are comprehended by

Replaces "understood" with a synonym, emphasizing the mental grasp of the subject.

are grasped by

Implies a quick and intuitive understanding.

are known to

Shifts the focus to general awareness rather than specific comprehension.

are appreciated by

Suggests a valued or favorable understanding.

are recognized by

Focuses on identifying or acknowledging something.

are interpreted by

Highlights the subjective process of understanding.

are perceived by

Emphasizes sensory or intuitive understanding.

are realized by

Implies understanding that leads to a particular outcome.

are received by

Focuses on how something is accepted or taken in.

are deciphered by

Suggests that the understanding is achieved through a process of decoding.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are understood by" to sound more active?

You can rephrase "are understood by" into an active voice construction, such as "[subject] understands [concept]", for example, "the students understand the lesson" instead of "the lesson is understood by the students".

What is a synonym for "are understood by"?

A synonym for "are understood by" could be "are comprehended by" or "are grasped by", depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "are understood by"?

While grammatically sound, "are understood by" is passive. Using active voice (e.g., "people understand") often makes the sentence more direct and easier to read.

How does context affect the usage of "are understood by"?

The phrase "are understood by" is suitable when emphasizing the object being understood and de-emphasizing the actor. However, if the actor's understanding is crucial, active voice may be more effective.