be understood of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be understood of" is not commonly used in modern written English and may sound archaic or formal.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing how something is perceived or comprehended by someone, though it is more typical to use simpler constructions. Example: "The message should be clear enough to be understood of all participants."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

What can be understood of it without the scale and context of human purposes, or the instruments of human thought?

The Guardian - Books

If no one can understand war, then simply to fear for one's brother, and to be horrified, is precisely to understand what can be understood of war.

The New Yorker

It is to be understood, of course, that if the matter is in doubt and if there is a reasonable legal basis for the charge, the court should not substitute its judgment on the law or the facts for that of the agency.

Cornell University

The novel, thankfully, resists offering easy characterization of a culture that has to be seen and heard before it can be understood, of a place "ripe with heat and rain and Guyanese sound and Guyanese light in which the world seemed saturated or bleached, either way exposed".

The New York Times - Books

It seems proper to consider a word as the name of that which we intend to be understood by it when we use it; of that which any fact that we assert of it is to be understood; of that, in short, concerning which, when we employ the word, we intend to give information.

The New York Times

It remains to be understood, of course, if it is us to be recognised or if it is our ancient modernity to optatively be recognised in this form of current modernity.

City, Territory and Architecture

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Be understand of them as well.

WikiHow

However, surprisingly little is understood of its life and behaviour.

Britannica

In high-complexity organisms (such as humans), little is understood of how transcription is carried out at the cellular level.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Many of the key issues are understood, of course, but both experiment and computer modelling are showing new features.

Acta Materialia

Despite the increase in the number of compounds available for pain relief, however, little was understood of their sites and mechanisms of action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically acceptable, consider using more common alternatives like "be understood by" or "be comprehended by" for clearer and more contemporary communication. This will improve readability and avoid potential confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "be understood of" in contemporary writing, as it can sound archaic or overly formal. Opt for more common alternatives that convey the same meaning more directly and clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be understood of" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject is being comprehended or grasped by someone. Ludwig AI indicates that while grammatically acceptable, the phrase is not commonly used. Examples show usage in academia and news, though less frequently than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be understood of" is a grammatically acceptable but infrequent passive construction used to express comprehension. While Ludwig AI acknowledges its correctness, it suggests opting for more common alternatives like "be understood by" for enhanced clarity and readability. Analysis of authoritative sources reveals its presence in academic, scientific, and news contexts, but its rarity suggests it's not a preferred choice in contemporary writing. Consider this when you write to ensure that your message is as clear as possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be comprehended by

Emphasizes the act of grasping or understanding something fully; "comprehended" suggests a deeper level of understanding than "understood".

be grasped by

Highlights the act of seizing or mentally taking hold of an idea or concept; implies a more active effort to understand.

be perceived by

Focuses on how something is interpreted or viewed; shifts the emphasis from simple understanding to subjective interpretation.

be known to

Indicates that something is within someone's awareness or knowledge; suggests a more passive state of understanding.

be appreciated by

Highlights the value or significance someone places on understanding something; implies a deeper level of engagement and recognition.

be realized by

Focuses on the moment of becoming aware or understanding something; emphasizes the sudden or gradual dawning of comprehension.

be recognized by

Emphasizes the act of identifying or acknowledging something, suggesting an understanding of its nature or importance.

be conceived by

Focuses on the formation of an idea or understanding in the mind; suggests a more abstract or theoretical level of comprehension.

be appreciated of

Mirrors the original structure but replacing with "appreciated", focusing on value placed on understanding.

be cognized by

Cognized implies an active and conscious mental process of acquiring knowledge or understanding.

FAQs

What does "be understood of" mean?

The phrase "be understood of" means to be comprehended or grasped by someone. While grammatically correct, it's less common than alternatives like "be understood by".

What can I say instead of "be understood of"?

You can use alternatives like "be comprehended by", "be grasped by", or "be perceived by depending on the context.

Is it more correct to say "be understood by" or "be understood of"?

"Be understood by" is generally preferred in modern English. "Be understood of" is grammatically acceptable but sounds archaic or overly formal.

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

While less common, you might use it like this: "The complexities of the theory must be understood of the researchers." A more typical phrasing would be: "The complexities of the theory must be understood by the researchers."