been understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something has been comprehended or grasped by someone. Example: "The instructions have been understood by all team members, ensuring everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But has the drawing really been understood?

The Guardian - Books

This has been understood since the days of Thomas Edison.

The New York Times

Had it been understood, it would not have been built.

The Guardian - Arts

The basic dynamics of earthquakes have been understood for decades.

The New York Times - Science

It's long been understood that making pleasure your goal in life will lead to diminishing returns.

The Guardian - Books

Rules that can be broken, but only once they've been understood.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Inevitably, the art of shadows has always been understood as morally symbolic.

The Guardian - Film

Fraud in banks has been understood conventionally and, I would say, messaged as a glitch.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has for many years been understood that women are key to development.

The Guardian

It's long been understood that it's part of human nature to make tools.

The Guardian - Opinion

Racial prejudice and conflict have been understood as American, not Southern, problems.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been understood" to convey that a concept, idea, or situation has been properly comprehended and acknowledged, especially when emphasizing a past state of understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "been understood" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The concept has been understood by the team", consider "The team understands the concept" for a more concise statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been understood" functions as the passive perfect form of the verb 'understand'. It indicates that an action of understanding has been completed, often with ongoing implications. Ludwig examples illustrate its use across diverse contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been understood" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase widely used to indicate that something has been comprehended or grasped. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various registers, though predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using "been understood", consider whether the active voice might provide a more direct and concise alternative. For example, instead of "The concept has been understood by the team", consider "The team understands the concept" for a more concise statement. Related alternatives include phrases such as "been comprehended", "been grasped", and "been realized", each offering slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been comprehended

Replaces "understood" with a more formal synonym, "comprehended", emphasizing thorough understanding.

has been grasped

Uses "grasped" to indicate a firm understanding, often implying a sudden realization.

has been realized

Emphasizes the aspect of becoming aware of something, rather than just understanding it.

has been recognized

Focuses on the acknowledgement or acceptance of something as true or valid.

has been apprehended

Similar to "comprehended" but can also imply a more intuitive understanding.

has been known

Indicates that something has been within someone's knowledge or awareness.

has been learned

Focuses on the process of gaining understanding through study or experience.

has been appreciated

Highlights that something has been valued and understood for its qualities.

has been acknowledged

Stresses that something has been formally recognized or admitted.

has been internalized

Suggests that understanding has gone beyond mere comprehension to become deeply integrated into one's beliefs or values.

FAQs

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

You can use "been understood" to indicate that something has been comprehended. For example, "The instructions have "been communicated" and "been understood" by all participants."

What are some alternatives to "been understood"?

Alternatives include "been comprehended", "been grasped", or "been realized", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "has been understood" or "was understood"?

"Has been understood" implies a present relevance or continuing state resulting from past understanding, while "was understood" refers to a past state without necessarily implying present relevance. Choose based on your intended meaning.

What is the difference between "been understood" and "understood"?

"Understood" is the past tense of understand, while "been understood" uses the auxiliary verb "been" to create a passive perfect construction. You would not say simply "been understood" in a sentence without an auxiliary verb. For example, "It has "been understood" for a long time" is correct, whereas "It "been understand" for a long time" is not.