as i understood it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as I understood it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express your interpretation or perception of something that was said or explained. Example: "The project deadline was extended, as I understood it, to give us more time to complete our work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The idea, as I understood it at the time, was that even though it would be a sin to pick up a pretty girl at the church dance and drive her to the dark abandoned chicken farm known as "the coop" where we Mormon kids held our makeout sessions, I should nevertheless feel grateful for the fact that I desperately desired to do so.

The New York Times - Magazine

Felipe didn't win, but did well enough, as I understood it, to be invited back.

The New York Times - Magazine

As I understood it, it wasn't half bad — you simply grew warm and fell asleep.

The New Yorker

As I understood it, it wasn't half bad you simply grew warm and fell asleep.

The New Yorker

But as I understood it, that's what we were going for.

The Guardian

"This was not fashion as I understood it before," she recalled.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

I'll start, however, by defining the problem--as I understand it.

Science Magazine

That is magic, as I understand it".

The New York Times - Books

"As I understand it's his eyes".

The New Yorker

This is conservatism, as I understand it and value it.

The New York Times

As I understand it, it's really not feasible.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as I understood it" to clearly indicate that you are presenting your interpretation of events or information, rather than stating an objective fact.

Common error

Don't use "as I understood it" when presenting undisputed, verifiable facts. Instead, use it to convey your interpretation of ambiguous or complex situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as I understood it" functions as a disclaimer or hedge, indicating that the speaker is providing their subjective interpretation or recollection of a situation. It prefaces a statement, suggesting it's based on their personal comprehension. Ludwig examples demonstrate this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as I understood it" is a useful phrase for conveying a subjective understanding or interpretation of information. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts, primarily within News & Media. It is important to remember that this phrase should be used when presenting a personal perspective, rather than an objective fact. Alternatives such as "to my understanding" or "from my perspective" can be used to express a similar meaning. When used correctly, this phrase can add clarity and nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to my understanding

This alternative replaces "as I" with "to my", offering a more concise way to express personal comprehension.

from my understanding

Similar to "to my understanding", this alternative emphasizes the source of the understanding as the speaker.

the way I understood it

This alternative adds "the way" to emphasize the personal manner of understanding.

as I interpreted it

This alternative uses "interpreted" instead of "understood", focusing on the act of interpreting information.

as I perceived it

This alternative uses "perceived" to emphasize the speaker's perception of the situation.

in my view

This alternative provides a more general expression of personal opinion or viewpoint.

if I understood correctly

This alternative introduces a conditional element, questioning the accuracy of the understanding.

the impression I had was

This alternative focuses on the impression received, rather than the act of understanding.

what I gathered was

This alternative emphasizes the process of gathering information and forming an understanding.

my take on it was

This alternative is a more informal way of expressing a personal perspective or interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "as I understood it" in a sentence?

You can use "as I understood it" to preface your interpretation of events or information. For example, "As I understood it, the project was due next week."

What can I say instead of "as I understood it"?

You can use alternatives like "to my understanding", "from my perspective", or "the way I saw it depending on the context.

Is "as I understood it" formal or informal?

"As I understood it" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives exist.

What's the difference between "as I understood it" and "as I understand it"?

"As I understood it" refers to a past understanding, while "as I understand it" refers to a present understanding.