be construed with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be construed with" is not correct in standard English; the correct phrase is "be construed as." You can use it when discussing how something should be interpreted or understood in a particular context.
Example: "The statement should be construed as an invitation to participate in the event."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Others argued variously for either murder or suicide, drawing implications for how the work's larger message should be construed with respect to personal identity or social or political system.

The New York Times - Arts

10-10 envisagenvisagestioppositionsn be consthatd with the help of dogmaticanheses.

SEP

What makes these shorelines unique, however, is their role as distinctive time markers, allowing the order of formation of landforms and sediments to be construed with unprecedented detail.

Proceedings of the Geologists' Association

It is quite unlikely that this may be construed, with intermediate accommodation in c1, which is the antecedent of the conditional, as "If Fred is married and is coming to the reception, he may bring his wife".

SEP

"What I say about yoga is it is not to be construed with exercise," she said.

Vice

However, the suggestions from their economic evaluation should be construed with a caution for the following reasons: (i) they used a 12-month follow-up time horizon for their model but the follow-up time duration should be 2 years or more for formal outcome measurements [ 14, 15].

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Meanwhile, a number of scales have been construed with a specific focus on behavioral inhibition (e.g., [ 18, 48], but these scales predominantly measure the social aspects of this temperament construct rather than inhibited behavior in response to a broad range of novel stimuli and situations [ 28].

European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Because that's part of being a leader, see, is construing with your gut.

The New Yorker

Because that's part of being a leader, see, is construing with your gut.   2.

The New Yorker

54 57 If mental health morbidity is greater among those with higher deprivation, 19 58 64 present findings may be construed as aligning with recommended care use patterns.

BMJ Open

The UN declined the offer.All of this might be construed as siding with the people against their own government and hence as a mild form of political interference.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express how something should be understood, prefer using "be construed as" instead of "be construed with". For example, "His silence should be construed as agreement".

Common error

Avoid using "with" after "construed". The correct preposition to use is "as" to indicate the interpretation or understanding of something. For example, it is incorrect to say, "The gesture was construed with kindness"; instead, say, "The gesture was construed as kindness".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be construed with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Its intended function is to express how something is understood or interpreted, but it fails to do so according to standard English grammar. According to Ludwig AI, it should be replaced by "be construed as".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be construed with" appears in some contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct and widely accepted form is "be construed as", which is used to express how something should be understood or interpreted. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that "be construed with" is an error that should be avoided, with alternatives such as "be interpreted as" or "be understood as" being preferable for clear and correct communication. Ludwig shows limited occurrences, but those instances should be seen as examples of incorrect usage rather than accepted practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be interpreted as

Focuses on understanding the meaning or significance of something.

be understood as

Emphasizes a particular way of perceiving or comprehending something.

be regarded as

Highlights the perception or estimation of something by others.

be seen as

Suggests a specific viewpoint or perspective on something.

be viewed as

Similar to "be seen as", but can imply a more formal or considered judgment.

be considered as

Implies a careful or deliberate assessment of something.

be taken as

Indicates how something might be received or accepted by others.

be deemed as

Suggests an official or authoritative judgment on something.

be conceived as

Emphasizes the way something is mentally formed or understood.

be characterized as

Highlights the specific traits or qualities used to describe something.

FAQs

How should I use "be construed as" in a sentence?

Use "be construed as" to indicate how something should be interpreted or understood. For example, "Her statement can "be construed as" a criticism of the policy".

What are some alternatives to "be construed as"?

Alternatives include "be interpreted as", "be understood as", or "be regarded as", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be construed with"?

No, the correct phrasing is "be construed as". "Be construed with" is not standard English.

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

While both phrases relate to understanding, ""be construed as"" often implies a more formal or legal interpretation, whereas "be interpreted as" is a more general term for understanding meaning.