as they understood it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they understood it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that the following information or interpretation is based on someone's personal understanding or perspective. Example: "The rules were explained to the team, but as they understood it, there were still some ambiguities that needed clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Erik Paradis, a spokesman for the Quebec regional office of the agency, said that its officers had applied the law as they understood it.

The New York Times

They didn't want a reënactment of 1947, as they understood it.

The New Yorker

As they understood it, there were two reasons that doctors couldn't agree on a diagnosis.

The New Yorker

Football, as they understood it, was more than just the coach's job.

The Washington Post

The location, as they understood it, had once been a base for coke dealers.

The New York Times

As they understood it, generating conflict was essential to the development of discrimination.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

And in fact, the world, as they understood it they could not understand what their society would look like without slavery.

Cornell University

To practice their faith as they understand it, they sidestep the church's established boundaries.

The New York Times

"Defendants' ardent adherence to Islamic law, as they understand it, permeates their actions and thinking," Judge Sand continued.

The New York Times

Our customers are keen to buy 'on feather', as they understand it's fresher and draws the flavour more".

The Guardian

Mr. Mamet's sad men constantly make pronouncements about life as they understand it, hiding the fact that they really know almost nothing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they understood it" to clearly indicate that you are presenting information based on a specific group or individual's comprehension, which may differ from other interpretations or objective facts.

Common error

Avoid using "as they understood it" when a shared, factual understanding is implied. The phrase suggests a potentially subjective or incomplete comprehension, so ensure it aligns with your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they understood it" functions as a prepositional phrase providing context regarding a subjective interpretation or comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable and correct in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it frequently modifies verbs of action or decision-making, indicating the basis for those actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

28%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they understood it" is a prepositional phrase used to provide context regarding a specific interpretation or comprehension. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in various forms of written English. It is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific sources and serves to qualify statements or actions based on a potentially subjective understanding. When using this phrase, remember to consider whether a shared understanding is implied, and avoid it if a factual, universally agreed-upon understanding is intended. Alternatives like "as they saw it" and "in their view" can also be employed to convey similar meanings, focusing on perspective and viewpoint.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they saw it

Replaces 'understood' with 'saw', focusing on perception rather than comprehension.

in their view

Shifts the focus to a general opinion or perspective.

from their perspective

Emphasizes a specific viewpoint or angle.

according to their interpretation

Highlights the act of interpreting information.

as they conceived it

Replaces 'understood' with 'conceived', implying a mental construct or idea.

in their estimation

Similar to 'in their view', but implies a more formal assessment.

the way they perceived it

Focuses on the manner in which something was perceived.

in their minds

Highlights that understanding is a mental concept.

based on their knowledge

Emphasizes that understanding is related to the background knowledge.

to their way of thinking

Focuses on a general mindset or approach.

FAQs

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

Use "as they understood it" to show that a statement or action was based on a particular group’s or person's specific interpretation or knowledge. For example, "The team proceeded with the plan, as they understood it, despite later discovering flaws in their initial assumptions."

What are some alternatives to "as they understood it"?

You can use alternatives like "as they saw it", "in their view", or "according to their interpretation", depending on the context.

What’s the difference between "as they understood it" and "as they knew it"?

"As they understood it" implies a particular comprehension or interpretation of something, whereas "as they knew it" suggests familiarity or awareness of something. The former is about understanding, while the latter is about knowledge.

Is "as they understood it" formal or informal?

"As they understood it" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding sentence structure and vocabulary than on the phrase itself.