be construed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be construed to" 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 be construed to mean that both parties are equally responsible for the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I realized later that what he had said could be construed to mean almost anything.

The New Yorker

"We were doing nothing that can in any way be construed to be illegal," she said.

The New York Times

The federal law is ambiguous, Chief Justice Roberts said, and ambiguities should be construed to favor criminal defendants.

The New York Times

The enunciation herein of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or impair others retained by the people.

The New York Times

Under current circumstances, Richard's face could be construed to look startled, as if wondering what had happened to his team.

The New York Times - Sports

My husband had suggested the phrases — "amazing" and "astonishing" being words that can be construed to mean almost anything.

The New York Times

When I asked the research director and project director whether the data should be construed to indicate a declining Jewish population, they flatly answered no.

The New York Times

Nothing in this order shall be construed to limit the authority of any such governmental authority to prosecute any individual for whom control is transferred.

The New York Times

"Nothing here should be construed to show that there's been any new finding or change in the wreckage that we've been studying," said Ted Lopatkiewicz, the board's spokesman.

The New York Times

The Ninth Amendment says, "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people".

The New York Times

It also states that nothing in the measure should be "construed to diminish any rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be construed to" in formal writing where precision and clarity are essential to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be construed to" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal and stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "understood as" or "interpreted as" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be construed to" functions as a passive voice construction. It is used to indicate how something should be understood or interpreted, often in formal or legal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and relevance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be construed to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, particularly in formal and legal contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to specify how something should be understood, ensuring clarity and precision. While versatile, it's best reserved for formal writing to maintain an appropriate tone. Alternatives like "be interpreted as" or "be understood as" can be suitable for informal settings. Its prevalence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and scientific publications underscores its reliability and importance in precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be interpreted as

Focuses on the act of interpretation, suggesting a more direct understanding.

be understood as

Emphasizes comprehension and the resulting meaning derived.

be regarded as

Implies a general opinion or widespread view about something.

be deemed to be

Suggests a formal judgment or official assessment of something.

be considered as

Focuses on deliberate thought and assessment before forming a conclusion.

be taken to mean

Highlights the derived meaning or implication from a statement or action.

be viewed as

Indicates a specific perspective or angle from which something is observed.

be seen as

Emphasizes the visibility or apparent nature of something.

be thought of as

Highlights a specific way of thinking about something.

be characterized as

Focuses on the description and identification of key attributes.

FAQs

How can I use "be construed to" in a sentence?

Use "be construed to" to indicate how something should be understood or interpreted, especially in legal or formal contexts. For example: "The contract's language should "be construed to" mean both parties share equal responsibility".

What are some alternatives to "be construed to"?

You can use alternatives such as "be interpreted as", "be understood as", or "be regarded as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "be construed to" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "be construed to" is generally more suitable for formal or legal contexts. In informal writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "understood as" or "taken to mean".

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

"Be construed to" often implies a legal or formal interpretation, whereas "be interpreted as" is a more general term for understanding meaning. The choice depends on the context and level of formality required.