as understood by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as understood by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the perspective or interpretation of a particular idea or statement by a specific person or group. Example: "The policy will be implemented as understood by the committee members during the last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Catholicism, as understood by most American Catholics, is not.

The New York Times

These three sections cover the four main aims of human life as understood by Hindu sages.

University of California, Berkeley

The Sandemanian churches attempted to conform to primitive Christianity as understood by them.

Britannica

But Musharraf's main crime, as understood by most Pakistanis, was that he was an American ally.

The Guardian - Opinion

The qualities of that sound define musical beauty as understood by the Costa's hummingbird.

The New York Times

The context of evolutionary biology is phylogeny, the connections between all groups of organisms as understood by ancestor/descendant relationships.

University of California, Berkeley

III, § 1, must be deemed to be the judicial power as understood by our common-law tradition.

Cornell University

The Columbia decision relies on the definition of a worker drawn from "master-servant relationship," as understood by common law.

The New Yorker

The myth of creation is the symbolic narrative of the beginning of the world as understood by a particular community.

Britannica

The insurgency as understood by American intelligence officers, is a more complex web of interests and fighters.

The New York Times

"There is a gap between what Islam is and what Islam is as understood by human beings," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as understood by" to clearly indicate whose interpretation you are referring to, especially when multiple interpretations are possible. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "as understood by" when the understanding is universally accepted or self-evident. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. If the context makes the understanding clear, direct attribution is not needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as understood by" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or clause to indicate whose interpretation or comprehension is being referenced. It provides context and specifies the perspective from which something is being viewed. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as understood by" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to specify the perspective or interpretation of a concept or statement. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity, highlighting its frequency across diverse domains like news, academia and science. While its register is typically neutral to formal, it serves the crucial purpose of avoiding ambiguity and ensuring clarity in communication. When using this phrase, remember to attribute the understanding to a specific source, avoiding vagueness. According to Ludwig, alternatives like "as interpreted by" or "in the view of" can provide similar contextualization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as interpreted by

Focuses on the act of explaining or clarifying something, emphasizing a specific interpretation.

as perceived by

Focuses on how something is sensed or understood through observation.

in the view of

Highlights a particular opinion or perspective, often suggesting a formal viewpoint.

from the perspective of

Emphasizes a specific viewpoint or angle from which something is considered.

according to the interpretation of

Stresses adherence to a specific interpretation or explanation.

from the standpoint of

Emphasizes the position or point from which someone views something.

in the estimation of

Highlights an evaluation or assessment made by someone.

in the eyes of

Highlights how something appears or is regarded by someone.

in the belief of

Focuses on a conviction or faith held by someone.

in the opinion of

Emphasizes a personal viewpoint or judgment.

FAQs

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

Use "as understood by" to clarify whose interpretation or perspective you are referring to. For example, "The term 'sustainability', "as understood by" environmental scientists, encompasses both ecological and economic considerations."

What phrases are similar to "as understood by"?

Alternatives include "as interpreted by", "in the view of", or "from the perspective of", all of which indicate a specific viewpoint or interpretation.

When is it appropriate to use "as understood by"?

It's appropriate when you need to specify whose understanding or interpretation you are referencing, particularly when there could be multiple valid interpretations.

What is the difference between "as understood by" and "according to"?

"As understood by" emphasizes interpretation or comprehension, whereas "according to" simply indicates a source of information or a statement. For example, "According to the report, sales increased," versus "The report's findings, "as understood by" the marketing team, require a change in strategy."