be construed as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be construed as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate how something should be interpreted or understood. Example: "The terms of this agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's hard to see how Fox's most recent controversy can be construed as humorous.

The New York Times - Magazine

Would that be construed as cheating?

The New York Times

Any news that could even vaguely be construed as good?

The New Yorker

Could be construed as a conflict of interest......

The New York Times

It could be construed as a PR stunt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That could be construed as an obsession with youth".

The Guardian

Such habits were not to be construed as affectation.

The New Yorker

This behavior could definitely be construed as taunting.

The New York Times

The payments might be construed as kickbacks, experts said.

The New York Times

"Goliath Concussed" might be construed as power run amok.

The New York Times - Arts

The behavior could be construed as violating department rules.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be construed as" in formal writing when you want to emphasize how something might be understood or interpreted by others, especially in legal or official contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "be construed as" can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "be seen as" or "be understood as" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be construed as" functions as a passive construction used to indicate how something should be interpreted or understood. It is often used in formal contexts, particularly in legal or official documents, as seen in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

27%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be construed as" is a formal and precise way to indicate how something should be interpreted. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in legal, academic, and official contexts. While highly useful for clarity, it is less appropriate in informal settings where simpler alternatives like "be understood as" or "be regarded as" might be more suitable. Its prevalent use in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific sources highlights its importance in formal communication. Mastering its usage ensures clear and unambiguous expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be interpreted as

Focuses on the act of explaining the meaning of something.

be understood as

Emphasizes comprehension and the way something is perceived.

be regarded as

Highlights the act of considering or thinking about something in a particular way.

be viewed as

Implies a specific perspective or opinion on something.

be deemed as

Suggests a formal judgement or assessment of something.

be considered as

Indicates a thoughtful evaluation or opinion about something.

be seen as

Focuses on the perception or impression that something creates.

be taken as

Implies how something is received or accepted by others.

be characterized as

Highlights the defining traits or qualities attributed to something.

be labeled as

Suggests the assignment of a specific designation or classification.

FAQs

How to use "be construed as" in a sentence?

The phrase "be construed as" is used to indicate how something should be interpreted or understood. For example, "The lack of response should not "be construed as" disagreement."

What can I say instead of "be construed as"?

You can use alternatives like "be interpreted as", "be understood as", or "be regarded as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be construed as" or "being construed as"?

"Be construed as" is generally preferred. "Being construed as" might be used in continuous tenses, but "be construed as" is more common for general statements.

What's the difference between "be construed as" and "be considered as"?

"Be construed as" implies a specific interpretation, often in a formal or legal context. "Be considered as" ("be considered as") suggests a more general evaluation or opinion.