be understood through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be understood through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how something can be comprehended or interpreted via a specific method or medium. Example: "The complex theories can be understood through careful analysis and discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Her paintings were her narrative, just like Alanis's life story can be understood through her lyrics".

The New York Times - Magazine

Iran's nuclear calculations can best be understood through the prism of parochial politics.

The New York Times

So much about what Alaska really is can only be understood through what it takes to get there.

The Guardian - Books

There was no sign or explanation on the door, nor could the waitress be understood through the glass.

The New York Times

If the full complexity of El Attar's work can't be understood through translation, his rallying call stands clear.

The Guardian

The true nature of the uprising cannot be understood through its postwar commemorations but only through its wartime origins.

The New York Times

Both peoples must be understood through their specific history and accept the fact that their destinies are inextricably linked.

The Economist

Women are such rare creatures that they can only be understood through the prism of one another, like unicorns or sporting triumphs by the England football team.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he also has to be understood through his beat, which anchored "Bo Diddley" as well as so many of his other songs.

The New York Times

"I think nowadays," he once told an interviewer, "there's a deep misunderstanding amongst people that art should be understood through logical sentences".

The Guardian - Arts

The fertile and fractious U.S. scene in the genre known as black metal can be understood through a familiar moment in rock history.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be understood through", ensure that the 'through' component clearly specifies the method, medium, or perspective that enables understanding. For example, "The concept can be understood through visual aids."

Common error

Avoid using "be understood through" when the 'through' component is unclear or overly general. For example, instead of "The issue can be understood through analysis", specify the type of analysis: "The issue can be understood through statistical analysis."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be understood through" functions as a passive construction indicating the means by which something can be comprehended. It emphasizes the method or medium that facilitates understanding. Examples from Ludwig, show it's often used to describe how complex topics can be made accessible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be understood through" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase employed to articulate the means by which something can be comprehended. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile enough to appear across different registers, although it finds prominence in neutral and formal contexts such as news, scientific publications, and academic discourse. The phrase’s purpose is primarily explanatory, pinpointing the specific methods, mediums, or perspectives that facilitate understanding. To ensure effective usage, it is essential to provide a clear reference to what enables the understanding. Common alternatives include "be comprehended via" and "be interpreted through", and the selected vocabulary should be optimized based on the target audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be comprehended via

Emphasizes the means by which understanding is achieved.

be interpreted through

Focuses on the act of interpreting as a means of understanding.

be grasped by means of

Highlights the method used to gain understanding.

be deciphered via

Implies a process of decoding to achieve understanding.

be perceived using

Focuses on perception as the route to understanding.

be illuminated by

Suggests that something sheds light on the subject, leading to understanding.

be clarified by

Emphasizes the role of something in making the subject clear.

gain insight through

Shifts the focus to the act of gaining understanding.

be clarified via

Similar to be clarified by, emphasizes the means of clarification.

be apprehended via

Highlights the method used to become aware or conscious of something.

FAQs

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

Use "be understood through" to indicate that something can be comprehended or interpreted by means of a particular method, perspective, or medium. For instance, "The problem can "be understood through" careful analysis".

What are some alternatives to "be understood through"?

You can use alternatives like "be comprehended via", "be interpreted through", or "be grasped by means of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be understood through"?

The phrase itself is in the passive voice. The choice between active and passive depends on the sentence's focus. If the focus is on what enables understanding, passive voice is suitable. If the focus is on who is understanding, active voice with a different construction might be better.

Can "be understood through" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "be understood through" is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal writing. However, consider the audience and choose the most appropriate wording. In highly formal contexts, synonyms such as "be comprehended via" may be preferable.