as we now understand

USAGE SUMMARY

'as we now understand' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been revealed or explained recently, as in the following example sentence: "As we now understand it, this new law will have far-reaching implications for businesses and the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

I then reflected on its past – the roots of knowledge mobilisation as we now understand it.

The Guardian

Democracy, as we now understand it, holds that we all have a right to an opinion and every opinion has validity.

Independent

Neither value is reducible to liberalism or conservatism as we now understand them, although communitarianism presumes a belief that government is at least potentially a constructive force.

The New York Times - Books

I can't find any proposed gun-control laws that would have restricted his access to it if the facts are as we now understand them to be.

The New York Times

It's difficult to give credit for the invention of comments as we now understand them to one specific person or site.

The New York Times - Magazine

And yet just as we now understand that elephants hurt like us, we're learning that they can heal like us as well.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

I also told Tom that we, Harlequins, would accept the judgement against Harlequins and the fine, as well as releasing the details of the incident to the ERC as we now understood them.

The Guardian - Sport

As a society we now understand the link between cardiovascular fitness and health," he explained.

Huffington Post

The reductionist approach to biological research has thus reigned supreme for generations, and as a result we now understand how the linear arrangement of nucleotides encodes the linear arrangement of amino acids, how proteins interact to form functional groups such as signal transduction and metabolic pathways, etc.

BMC Systems Biology

What Abelard refers to as the construction/structure of an inference is indeed roughly what we now understand as a schema (see entry on schemata of this encyclopedia), as his discussion of examples suggests: it is the substitution of terms by other terms while preserving the consecution (i.e. a version of (ST)) that is the hallmark of perfect inferences.

SEP

"He didn't produce a great deal, but what he did produce is actually quite profound and is one of the keystones of what we now understand as the fundamental building blocks of nature," Walker said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "as we now understand", ensure the subsequent statement aligns with established facts and is not merely speculative or based on personal opinions.

Common error

Avoid using "as we now understand" to introduce claims that lack evidence or are based on speculation. This phrase implies a degree of certainty and consensus, so ensure your statement aligns with verifiable information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we now understand" functions as an introductory phrase that sets the stage for presenting information based on current knowledge or a revised understanding. Ludwig AI indicates its correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as we now understand" serves as a useful introductory phrase to highlight information based on current knowledge, reflecting a shift from past understandings. It’s grammatically correct, commonly used in news, science, and academic contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. When employing this phrase, ensure that the information you are presenting is accurate and reflects a broad consensus, not mere speculation. Consider using alternatives like "in light of current knowledge" or "according to our current understanding" depending on the context, to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in light of current knowledge

Emphasizes the influence of present-day knowledge, making it more formal.

according to our current understanding

Highlights the agreement or consensus behind a particular interpretation.

given our present comprehension

Stresses the act of grasping or perceiving something at the present time.

based on what we currently know

Focuses on factual information and evidence, making it suitable for analytical and technical contexts.

with the benefit of hindsight

Implies a re-evaluation with knowledge gained after an event.

from today's perspective

Highlights the viewpoint of the present day, making it suitable for historical contexts.

in today's understanding

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on modern interpretation.

as things stand now

Focuses on the present situation and its impact.

the current consensus suggests

Highlights prevalent opinion and expert agreement.

what is accepted now

Emphasizes the contrast with past views, stressing changes in acceptance.

FAQs

How can I use "as we now understand" in a sentence?

Use "as we now understand" to introduce information that has been recently clarified or re-evaluated, such as, "As we now understand, the effects of climate change are more severe than previously predicted."

What are some alternatives to "as we now understand"?

You can use alternatives like "in light of current knowledge", "according to our current understanding", or "given our present comprehension" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "as we now understand" when presenting updated information?

No, using "as we now understand" is optional. It's most effective when you want to emphasize a shift in understanding or contrast current knowledge with past beliefs. It adds a layer of emphasis on the updated perspective.

What's the difference between "as we now understand" and "as we knew before"?

"As we now understand" introduces a current understanding, implying new information or insights. In contrast, "as we knew before" refers to a prior understanding, highlighting a change or evolution in knowledge.