can be understood as

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be understood as" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something can be interpreted in a certain way. For example: The cold reception of the president's speech can be understood as a sign of disapproval from the public.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This process can be understood as follows.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gravity can be understood as a curvature of space.

The New Yorker

A single death can be understood as a collective threat.

The New Yorker

Here everything can be understood as a matter of proportion and dimension".

The New Yorker

And Pyne can be understood as saying: you gotta be kidding – enjoy!

The Guardian - Opinion

In part, the Moscow loan can be understood as an act of minor and demonstrative revenge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ross's popularity can be understood as a matter of tone and character.

The New Yorker

His argument can be understood as follows.

SEP

They can be understood as a classical Schottky diode.

Electrochimica Acta

The framework can be understood as a generalisation of Theorist.

Artificial Intelligence

These variables can be understood as measures of quantitative experience.

Journal of Economic Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be understood as" to introduce a specific interpretation or perspective on a topic, especially when presenting potentially subjective or nuanced viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid using "can be understood as" when a simpler, more direct explanation would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be understood as" functions as a modal verb phrase introducing an interpretation or explanation. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples where the phrase connects a subject with a way of understanding it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be understood as" serves as a versatile tool for introducing interpretations and explanations across a wide range of contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its prevalence in scientific and news media indicates its suitability for both technical and general audiences. While it is effective for offering perspectives, it's important to avoid overuse in simple explanations, as highlighted in the writing guidance. Alternatives such as ""can be interpreted as"" or "can be regarded as" can provide variety and nuance depending on the specific context. Ultimately, "can be understood as" is a reliable phrase for expressing how something can be perceived or comprehended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be interpreted as

Focuses on the act of interpreting meaning from something, similar to understanding.

can be seen as

Emphasizes a particular viewpoint or perspective.

can be viewed as

Similar to 'can be seen as', highlighting a way of looking at something.

can be described as

Focuses on providing a characterization or explanation.

can be regarded as

Suggests a formal or considered opinion.

can be explained as

Highlights the act of making something clear or understandable.

can be defined as

Focuses on providing a precise definition or meaning.

can be characterized as

Similar to 'can be described as', but often implies a more detailed or specific description.

can be conceptualized as

Suggests a more abstract or theoretical understanding.

can be appreciated as

Emphasizes recognizing the value or significance of something.

FAQs

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

Use "can be understood as" to introduce an interpretation or explanation of something. For example, "The president's speech "can be understood as" a call for unity".

What's a simple way to define "can be understood as"?

Simply put, "can be understood as" means something "can be interpreted as" or seen to mean something else.

Are there more formal alternatives to "can be understood as"?

Yes, depending on the context, more formal alternatives could include "can be regarded as" or "can be conceptualized as".

Is "can be understood as" interchangeable with "means"?

While sometimes interchangeable, "can be understood as" often introduces a subjective interpretation, whereas "means" typically implies a more direct definition. Using "can be defined as" implies more of a direct definition.