be well understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be well understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing that something is clear or comprehensible to others. Example: "It is important that the instructions be well understood by all team members to ensure the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As Darwin pointed out "No group of organic beings can be well understood until their homologies are made out" [ 10].

BMC Plant Biology

The rationale can be well understood.

The Guardian - Opinion

The interrelationship between these two options should be well understood.

The New York Times

The situation does not appear to be well understood.

University of California, Berkeley

That is not news to accountants, but it may not be well understood by many investors.

The New York Times

Perhaps 1945 is a lesson learned, but those restraints need to be well understood.

The Guardian

In general, the relationship between tipping and weather doesn't appear to be well understood by researchers.

The New Yorker

It needs to be well understood by everyone throughout the organization.

Harvard Business Review

We discuss key questions that need to be addressed if value is to be well understood.

Stanford University

The consequences of such human activity should be well understood before being implemented.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The disease's cause (faulty protein) must be well understood as well.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be well understood", ensure that the subject of the phrase is clearly defined. Ambiguity can undermine the intended clarity. For example, instead of saying "The concept must be well understood", specify who should understand it: "The concept must be well understood by the engineering team."

Common error

Avoid embedding "be well understood" within overly complex sentence structures. This can dilute the phrase's impact and make the overall message harder to follow. Instead, break down complex ideas into simpler sentences for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be well understood" functions as a passive construction indicating a state of comprehension or clarity. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's used to highlight that a concept, process, or situation should be thoroughly grasped by a specific audience or in general.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be well understood" is a common and grammatically sound way to emphasize the need for clarity and comprehension. As supported by Ludwig's AI and numerous examples, this phrase is frequently used across academic, scientific, news, and business contexts, indicating its versatility and acceptance in various registers. To maximize its effectiveness, ensure that the subject is clearly defined and avoid embedding it in overly complex sentence structures. Considering alternatives such as ""be clearly understood"" or "be fully comprehended" can also help refine the message. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively leverage "be well understood" to enhance clarity and ensure that their intended message is accurately received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be clearly understood

Emphasizes the clarity of understanding more directly.

be fully comprehended

Focuses on the completeness of understanding.

be properly grasped

Highlights the importance of accurate understanding.

be rightly perceived

Focuses on the correctness of the perception.

be accurately interpreted

Stresses the precision in interpreting something.

be easily recognized

Highlights the ease with which something is identified or understood.

be widely appreciated

Indicates that something is not only understood but also valued by many.

be thoroughly assimilated

Focuses on the detailed and complete absorption of information.

be deeply internalized

Emphasizes that something is understood at a profound, personal level.

be universally acknowledged

Highlights the general or widespread recognition of something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "be well understood" is used to emphasize that something is clear or comprehensible. For example, "It is important that the instructions "be clearly understood" by all team members to ensure the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "be well understood"?

You can use alternatives like ""be clearly understood"", "be fully comprehended", or "be properly grasped" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean for something to "be well understood"?

When something is "well understood", it means that its details, implications, and significance are clearly and accurately grasped by the intended audience. This understanding can be crucial for effective communication and decision-making.

Is it better to say "be well understood" or ""be clearly understood""?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. However, ""be clearly understood"" places more emphasis on the clarity of the understanding, while "be well understood" suggests a general state of comprehension. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.