be understood for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be understood for" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward in certain contexts.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or contexts in which someone or something is recognized or comprehended, but it may require rephrasing for clarity. Example: "He wants to be understood for his contributions to the community, not just his professional achievements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The real import of Mark's work may not be understood for years," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

In return, it demands very little except to be understood for what it is.

The New York Times - Food

Then, perhaps, Simon Gray will be understood for the true original he was, both in life and in art.

The Guardian

What he insisted upon is that Scripture also be understood for the human side of its development".

The New York Times

For young adults, this literature, when it can be understood for what it is, is the choice of many!

The Guardian

"It is exceptional for the design to be really 'seen' to be understood for more than its decorative surface," he writes.

The Guardian

But that would not be understood for years to come, and consequently Mayor John F. Collins of Boston hired Mr. Logue to head Boston's Redevelopment Authority.

The New York Times

The recent decision to expand the U.N. force in Bosnia should also be understood for what it is: sending more troops to protect not Bosnian civilians but the U.N. troops already there.

The New Yorker

But even many critics of Europe's stance say that the president's argument does not stand up and that the dispute needs to be understood for what it is: a multibillion-dollar cross-Atlantic battle over agricultural trade.

The New York Times

At the modest scale of App.net, interacting with users is far more manageable, but Caldwell points out that much of the social impact of Facebook won't be understood for many years.

The Guardian

As for the appraisal industry, "there needs to be some systematic way for appraisers to do their number crunching, but for the significance of the appraisal to be understood for what it is worth," Mr. Neveloff said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be understood for" when you want to express the specific qualities or contributions for which someone or something should be recognized.

Common error

Avoid using "be understood for" when a more direct, active voice construction would be clearer and more concise. For example, instead of "The policy should be understood for its long-term benefits", consider "Understand the policy for its long-term benefits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be understood for" functions as a passive construction indicating the qualities or reasons something or someone should be comprehended. As Ludwig AI shows, it is commonly used to highlight specific aspects deserving recognition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be understood for" is a passive construction used to emphasize the specific qualities or reasons for which someone or something should be recognized or comprehended. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts including science, news, and formal writing. While grammatically correct and frequently used, the phrase should be employed thoughtfully, considering whether a more direct, active voice might enhance clarity. Alternatives like "be recognized for", "be known for", and "be appreciated for" can offer nuanced variations. Although the phrase is generally neutral in tone, careful attention to context will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be recognized for

Focuses on acknowledgment or public awareness of something.

be known for

Emphasizes reputation or widespread familiarity.

be appreciated for

Highlights the value or positive regard something receives.

be acknowledged for

Suggests formal or official recognition.

be valued for

Indicates the worth or importance assigned to something.

be comprehended as

Implies a deeper or more thorough understanding.

be interpreted as

Focuses on how something is explained or understood.

be seen as

Highlights a particular perspective or viewpoint.

be regarded as

Implies a considered opinion or judgment.

to gain recognition for

Focuses on the active process of achieving recognition.

FAQs

What does "be understood for" mean?

The phrase "be understood for" means to be recognized or comprehended based on certain qualities, characteristics, or contributions.

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

You can use it to specify the basis upon which something should be understood. For example, "The new regulations should "be understood for" their potential impact on small businesses".

What are some alternatives to "be understood for"?

Alternatives include "be recognized for", "be known for", or "be appreciated for", depending on the desired emphasis.

When is it best to use the passive voice with "be understood for"?

The passive voice is appropriate when the action is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown. For instance, "The scientific theory should "be understood for" its groundbreaking methodology" focuses on the theory itself rather than who is understanding it.