better understood

USAGE SUMMARY

"better understood" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The problem was explained multiple times until it was better understood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's much better understood now".

The Guardian - Money

"Or the old world," a friend tells him, "better understood".

The New York Times - Books

"The many advantages it offers are being better understood".

The Guardian

The fate of his terror network has been better understood.

The New York Times

We would all benefit if business cases were better understood.

The Guardian

By high school, they better understood their sexuality, she said.

The New York Times

The challenge of corruption needs to be better understood.

The New York Times

He hoped that by telling his story he would be better understood – and safer.

The Guardian

He feels he is now better understood by audiences and performers.

The Guardian - Music

We need to shape a system that is better understood and which commands the electorate's confidence.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Sound became better understood, perhaps, but harder to write a poem about.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "better understood", ensure the subject benefiting from the improved understanding is clear. For example, specify who or what now has a better understanding.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice which can obscure the actor. Instead of "The issue is better understood", consider "Researchers better understand the issue" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "better understood" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of improved comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "better understood" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate an improved level of comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific domains. While generally neutral in register, its clarity and precision make it valuable in formal and academic writing. When employing "better understood", ensure the subject gaining the understanding is clear to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as "more clearly grasped" or "comprehended more thoroughly" can provide alternative nuances depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understood to a greater extent

Emphasizes the degree or level of understanding achieved.

comprehended more thoroughly

Highlights a more extensive and complete understanding.

more clearly grasped

Focuses on the act of grasping or comprehending something with greater clarity.

grasped more completely

Stresses the completeness of the understanding achieved.

more fully appreciated

Emphasizes a deeper level of understanding and recognition of value.

more deeply known

Suggests an understanding that goes beyond the surface level.

better appreciated now

Adds a temporal element, indicating improved understanding over time.

more readily apparent

Indicates that something is easily and obviously understood.

more easily conceived

Focuses on the ease with which something can be imagined or understood.

more intuitively grasped

Highlights the understanding that comes naturally and without conscious reasoning.

FAQs

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

You can use "better understood" to indicate an improvement in comprehension. For example, "The concept is now "better understood" after the detailed explanation".

What are some alternatives to "better understood"?

Alternatives include "more clearly grasped", "more fully appreciated", or "comprehended more thoroughly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the situation is better understood now"?

Yes, "the situation is better understood now" is a grammatically correct sentence. It indicates that the situation is now comprehended more fully than before.

What's the difference between "better understood" and "well understood"?

"Well understood" implies a general or established understanding, while "better understood" suggests an improvement or increase in understanding over time or compared to a previous state. For instance, "the basic principles are "well understood"", but "the nuances are now "better understood"".