become understood

USAGE SUMMARY

"become understood" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would typically use it when referring to something that has become better known or has become more widely appreciated. For example: "As the years passed, her work slowly became understood and appreciated by a wider audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The functional roles of the different enzymes are only starting to become understood.

Nature

Directivities of other important noise types are discussed as well; their directivities become understood, although lacking of relevant directivity data.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

More recently, it has become understood that certain kinds of common fungi exist in subtle symbiosis with plants, bringing about not infection but connection.

The New Yorker

Dr. Holmes is currently investigating social hierarchies and health disparities in the context of US-Mexico migration as well as the ways in which these inequalities become understood to be natural and normal.

University of California, Berkeley

That was to uphold the conviction but re duce the sentence to a moder ate prison term, thus teaching that belief in witchcraft was not a good defense but allow ing time for that principle to become understood.

The New York Times

The city was going to be renamed Jerusalem and it would become understood as the chosen city, the place where God caused His name to dwell: as Deuteronomy said, there would be a place where God would choose to cause His name to dwell.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The cinematic experience became understood as psychologically contiguous to voyeurism.

The Guardian - Film

That was when AIDS became understood as a menace.

The New York Times

And as facts like these became understood, the results became good.

The New Yorker

Instead of "protecting the working class", the aim of social democracy became understood as "regulating capitalism for its own good".

The Guardian - Opinion

Golf fans on the course and the internet erupted with outrage when the LPGA's decision became understood.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become understood" when you want to emphasize the process of something being recognized or grasped over time, rather than a static state of understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "become understood" when a simple "understand" is sufficient. "Understand" implies current comprehension, while "become understood" implies a process of gaining comprehension over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become understood" functions as a passive construction indicating a process where something is increasingly grasped or recognized. As Ludwig AI suggests, it shows something being gradually recognized.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become understood" signifies a gradual process of something being comprehended or recognized over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase frequently used in scientific, academic, and news-related contexts. While seemingly straightforward, it's crucial to differentiate it from the simple verb "understand", which implies immediate comprehension. Related phrases, such as "gain acceptance" or "become clear", offer subtle shifts in meaning, allowing for nuanced expression. Remember that using "become understood" correctly involves emphasizing this evolutionary nature of knowledge and insight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be comprehended

More formal and passive way of expressing the same idea.

become clear

Emphasizes clarity rather than understanding.

be grasped

Emphasizes the act of understanding or seizing the meaning.

gain acceptance

Focuses on the idea of being accepted rather than just understood.

gain recognition

Highlights acknowledgement and appreciation of something.

grow in understanding

Emphasizes a continuous process of learning and developing understanding.

be appreciated

Stresses the value and positive regard towards something.

come to light

Implies revelation or discovery rather than simply understanding.

sink in

Focuses on the gradual process of understanding.

dawn on someone

Suggests a sudden realization.

FAQs

How can I use "become understood" in a sentence?

You can use "become understood" to describe a gradual increase in understanding or acceptance. For example, "Over time, the complexities of the theory "become understood" by more researchers".

What's a more formal way to say "become understood"?

A more formal alternative is "be comprehended". This phrasing is often used in academic or technical contexts.

What can I say instead of "become understood" when talking about acceptance?

If you want to emphasize acceptance rather than pure comprehension, consider using "gain acceptance".

Is it better to use "become understood" or "become clear"?

The best choice depends on the context. "Become clear" focuses on clarity or obviousness, while "become understood" emphasizes the process of grasping meaning or significance.