be clearly understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be clearly understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the importance of clarity in communication or ensuring that a message is comprehensible. Example: "It is essential that our objectives be clearly understood by all team members to avoid any confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A core aim of most interactions is to be clearly understood.

The Guardian - Opinion

The different parts of a horse's limbs must be clearly understood.

The New Yorker

How long can we dance to somebody else's tune?" Seremyaga "It must be clearly understood that Luzhkov is neither a nationalist nor a patriot.

The New York Times

Let it be clearly understood that we live in the sovereign state of South Carolina, and not in the Confederate States of America".

The New York Times

The decision, following a similar move by the United Methodist Church a year ago, rubs against Mormon efforts to be clearly understood as a Christian church.

The New York Times

JANET P. AQUAVELLA Bronx, July 18, 2013   As a physician, I have a particular need for presumptions about race to be clearly understood.

The New York Times

"Responding to the question of how future generations would view the memorial, some felt that the meaning of 9/11 would be clearly understood because of the design's use of the void and emptiness".

The New York Times

But it should be clearly understood that they are not supported by the overwhelming majority of those who actually live in the Somali region where they are working on a wide range of development projects.

The Guardian

Therefore the flattening behaviors of spraying particles must be clearly understood.

Surface and Coatings Technology

For success, the biosphere reserve concept needs to be clearly understood and applied through landscape zoning.

Journal of Environmental Management

However, they constitute a toolbox whose uses, potential benefits, and limitations must be clearly understood.

Modeling Enterprise Architecture with TOGAF A Practical Guide Using UML and BPMN

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be clearly understood" to emphasize that the message is easy to comprehend and leaves no room for misinterpretation. This is especially useful when communicating complex ideas or instructions.

Common error

While "be clearly understood" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Ensure you're not using it excessively, and consider active voice alternatives when appropriate for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be clearly understood" functions as a passive construction used to emphasize that information should be easily and accurately comprehended. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in ensuring messages are free from misinterpretation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be clearly understood" is a grammatically correct and highly common expression used to emphasize the importance of clarity and comprehension. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal communications. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of passive voice overuse. Consider using related phrases like "be explicitly understood" or "be easily grasped" to add nuance. Remember, the primary goal is to ensure your message is easily and accurately understood by your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be explicitly understood

Adds emphasis on the directness and lack of ambiguity in the understanding.

be distinctly understood

Highlights the clarity and precision with which something is understood.

be readily grasped

Focuses on the ease with which something can be understood.

be easily comprehended

Emphasizes the comprehensibility of something.

be plainly grasped

Stresses the simplicity and straightforwardness of the understanding.

be accurately grasped

Focuses on the correctness and precision of the understanding.

be correctly interpreted

Highlights the act of interpreting something in the right way.

be properly appreciated

Shifts focus to acknowledging the full value and significance.

be fully appreciated

Emphasizes the completeness of the understanding.

be rightly conceived

Implies that something is understood or imagined in the proper way.

FAQs

How can I use "be clearly understood" in a sentence?

You can use "be clearly understood" to emphasize the importance of comprehension, such as, "It is vital that these instructions "be clearly understood" before proceeding."

What are some alternatives to "be clearly understood"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be easily grasped", "be explicitly understood", or "be distinctly understood", each adding a slightly different nuance to the meaning.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be clearly understood"?

The choice depends on the context. Passive voice (e.g., "The message must "be clearly understood"") emphasizes the message itself, while active voice (e.g., "Ensure everyone clearly understands the message") emphasizes the actor ensuring understanding.

What is the difference between "be clearly understood" and "be well understood"?

"Be clearly understood" focuses on the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the understanding, whereas "be well understood" emphasizes the thoroughness and depth of the understanding. They are similar, but clarity is about avoiding confusion, while "well" is about complete knowledge.