are well understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "are well understood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express that something is well known or clear. For example: The rules of the game are well understood by everyone.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The reasons by now are well understood.

The New York Times

Of course, those styles are well understood.

The New York Times - Food

Most of these modes are well understood.

Harvard Business Review

No one argues that biochar's effects are well understood.

The Guardian

But the basic physics of the climate are well understood.

The New York Times

The optical properties of foam are well understood.

Stanford University

The causes of hunger are well understood and predictable.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Hence, not all of its facets are well-understood.

Journal of Systems and Software

"Charles Moore's politics are well-understood, but Hugo Rifkind's are not," he says.

The Guardian

The health hazards of the chemical Bisphenol A, known as BPA, are well-understood.

Huffington Post

"Rolling blackouts are well-understood, so we have generators ready.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are well understood" to indicate that a concept or process is generally known and accepted within a specific field or context. Avoid overusing it; consider alternatives like "are thoroughly known" or "are clearly known" for variety.

Common error

Be careful not to use "are well understood" when the subject is still debated or lacks complete evidence. It suggests a consensus that might not exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are well understood" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, indicating that a particular concept, process, or phenomenon is generally known and comprehended. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are well understood" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a concept or process is generally known and accepted. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability. It's most frequently used in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's important to ensure the subject truly reflects a general consensus to avoid misrepresentation. Remember, alternatives like "are thoroughly known" or "are clearly known" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are thoroughly known

Emphasizes the depth of knowledge, suggesting a comprehensive understanding.

are completely grasped

Focuses on the act of understanding, highlighting the thoroughness of comprehension.

are fully comprehended

Stresses the completeness of understanding, implying no ambiguity or missing information.

are clearly known

Highlights the clarity and accessibility of the knowledge, making it easily understandable.

are generally recognized

Focuses on the widespread acknowledgment and acceptance of the knowledge within a community.

are widely appreciated

Highlights the positive evaluation and understanding of the concepts, often emphasizing their value or importance.

are commonly acknowledged

Emphasizes the shared recognition and agreement on a particular fact or concept within a group.

are deeply appreciated

Stresses a profound level of understanding and recognition, often involving emotional or personal connection.

are adequately understood

Suggests a sufficient level of understanding for a specific purpose, though not necessarily exhaustive.

are plainly understood

Implies that the concepts are straightforward and easy to understand, without complex nuances.

FAQs

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

The phrase "are well understood" indicates that something is generally known or accepted. For example, you might say, "The basic principles of physics "are well understood"."

What are some alternatives to "are well understood"?

Alternatives include "are thoroughly known", "are completely grasped", or "are clearly known", each offering a slightly different emphasis.

Is it ever incorrect to use "are well understood"?

It can be misleading if used when a topic is still debated or lacks conclusive evidence. Ensure there's a general consensus before using the phrase.

What's the difference between "are well understood" and "are widely appreciated"?

"Are well understood" indicates knowledge and comprehension, while "are widely appreciated" suggests that something is valued or favorably regarded. The former focuses on understanding, the latter on recognition and value.