be understood to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be understood to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when clarifying how something should be interpreted or perceived in a specific context. Example: "The term 'employee' should be understood to be inclusive of both full-time and part-time workers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is, in one aspect the hosshin may be understood to be a personal being who preaches the Dharma by concretizing it in the cosmos as his own body.

SEP

"It doesn't have to be understood to be real".

The New Yorker

This backlash has to be understood to be confronted.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's important that they be understood to be equal branches of government".

The Guardian

Should the pod people from outer space be understood to be Communists, spreading covertly through America?

The New York Times

In these and other ways, women should be understood to be agents and catalysts of change.

The Guardian

Any paper submitted would be understood to be a candidate for any one of these.

The Economist

Women, then, will not be understood to be refusing, even when they are.

The New York Times

Teaching is, and should be understood to be, the most important job a society can offer its members.

University of California, Berkeley

So it's got to be understood to be central, incredibly powerful at times, and something that is prone to excesses.

Harvard Business Review

Later, however, it would be understood to be a direct consequence of the law of conservation of angular momentum.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be understood to be" to clarify the intended meaning or interpretation of a term, concept, or action within a specific context. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "be understood to be" excessively, as overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or convoluted. In many cases, an active voice construction can be more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be understood to be" functions as a passive voice construction used to indicate how something should be interpreted or perceived. Ludwig examples show its use in clarifying definitions, intentions, or roles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be understood to be" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to specify how something should be interpreted. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, to ensure clarity and prevent misinterpretations. While its usage is generally neutral to formal, it's important to avoid overuse of passive voice for more direct writing. Consider alternatives such as ""should be interpreted as"" or ""is meant to signify"" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be interpreted as

Emphasizes a specific interpretation or meaning.

is meant to signify

Highlights the intended meaning or representation.

can be taken to mean

Suggests a possible interpretation or implication.

is considered to be

Focuses on the general perception or opinion.

is regarded as

Similar to 'is considered', but implies a more formal assessment.

is viewed as

Highlights a particular perspective or viewpoint.

is perceived as

Focuses on how something is sensed or understood.

is known as

Highlights commonly known information.

is defined as

Emphasizes a precise and formal definition.

is characterized by

Focuses on the key attributes or features.

FAQs

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

You can use "be understood to be" to clarify the meaning or interpretation of something. For example, "The term 'sustainability' should "be understood to be" inclusive of environmental, social, and economic factors."

What are some alternatives to "be understood to be"?

Alternatives include "should be interpreted as", "is meant to signify", or "can be taken to mean", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

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

While "be understood to be" is a passive construction, its appropriateness depends on the context. If the emphasis is on the subject being understood, the passive voice is suitable. However, consider using the active voice for more direct and concise writing.

What's the difference between "be understood to be" and "be known to be"?

"Be understood to be" implies a specific interpretation or way of understanding something, while "be known to be" suggests a commonly accepted fact or piece of information. The choice depends on whether you're highlighting an interpretation or a generally recognized truth.