be understanding about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be understanding about" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to suggest that someone should show understanding or empathy towards a situation or person. Here is an example of how it can be used in a sentence: "Please try to be understanding about my late arrival to the meeting. There was unexpected traffic on the way." In this sentence, the speaker is asking the listener to be empathetic and understanding towards the reason for their lateness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But Nelson Sigelman, managing editor of The Martha's Vineyard Times, was inclined to be understanding about this.

The New York Times - Travel

Andrzej Bobinski, her direct supervisor at the institute where she works, the Center for International Relations, has to be understanding about the time Ms. Szajewska spends on the group's activities.

The New York Times

General Azimi said his soldiers would also get increased cultural sensitivity training, and waved a booklet that he said was being distributed to the Afghan Army in an effort to persuade Afghans to be understanding about foreigners' peculiarities.

The New York Times

Piper Kerman, Mr. Smith's wife, tries to be understanding about her husband's need to work constantly, but her tolerance has limits, especially when she thinks about the significance of their bed, their first joint purchase when they started out as a couple 10 years ago.

The New York Times

He writes that Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi, the spokesman for the Afghan military, who was also at the briefing, said his soldiers would also get increased cultural sensitivity training, and waved a booklet that he said was being distributed to the Afghan Army in an effort to persuade Afghans to be understanding about foreigners' peculiarities.

The New York Times

"A good host will have to be understanding about the needs of the visitors.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"All the guys here were understanding about what happened".

The New York Times - Sports

His wife is understanding about his feelings for corners.

The New Yorker

She of all people should have been understanding about defects.

The New Yorker

Though colleagues and clients were understanding about my absence, I still wanted to appear responsible.

The New York Times

What did they say to you about what they were understanding about why this happened?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be understanding about", specify the reason for needing understanding to provide context. For example, "Be understanding about the project delays due to unforeseen circumstances."

Common error

Avoid using "be understanding about" without specifying what needs to be understood. This can lead to ambiguity and make your request less effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be understanding about" functions as a request or suggestion for someone to show empathy, patience, or tolerance regarding a specific situation or reason. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be understanding about" is a grammatically sound phrase used to request or suggest empathy, patience, or leniency in a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. While generally neutral in register, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify the context for which understanding is requested, avoiding ambiguity. Alternative phrases include "show compassion for" or "exercise tolerance towards", which can provide slight variations in tone. The phrase is valuable for promoting constructive and empathetic communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be empathetic towards

Focuses on understanding and sharing the feelings of another.

be considerate of

Implies thoughtfulness and awareness of others' needs.

show compassion for

Emphasizes empathy and a caring response.

have patience with

Focuses on the ability to remain calm and understanding.

make allowances for

Indicates factoring in circumstances when judging someone's actions.

exercise tolerance towards

Highlights acceptance and patience in dealing with differences.

appreciate the difficulties of

Highlights recognizing the challenges someone faces.

recognize the validity of

Implies that one acknowledges and accepts a person's feelings or situation.

take a lenient view of

Suggests a forgiving or permissive attitude.

cut some slack to

Offers a more casual and colloquial way of expressing leniency.

FAQs

How can I use "be understanding about" in a sentence?

You can use "be understanding about" to request empathy or tolerance in a specific situation. For example, "Please "be understanding about" the technical issues we're experiencing."

What is a more formal way to say "be understanding about"?

In a more formal context, you could say "exercise tolerance towards" or "show compassion for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "be understanding about"?

It's appropriate when you are asking someone to show empathy, patience, or leniency in a situation that might be difficult or frustrating.

What's the difference between ""be understanding about"" and "be understanding of"?

"Be understanding about" refers to a specific situation or reason, while "be understanding of" refers to a general quality or characteristic. For example, "Be understanding about the delay" versus "Be understanding of different cultures".