can be understood of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be understood of" is not commonly used in modern written English and may sound awkward or outdated.
It can be used in contexts where one is explaining how something can be interpreted or perceived, but it is better to use more straightforward expressions. Example: "The term can be understood of various interpretations depending on the context."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

What can be understood of it without the scale and context of human purposes, or the instruments of human thought?

The Guardian - Books

If no one can understand war, then simply to fear for one's brother, and to be horrified, is precisely to understand what can be understood of war.

The New Yorker

The novel, thankfully, resists offering easy characterization of a culture that has to be seen and heard before it can be understood, of a place "ripe with heat and rain and Guyanese sound and Guyanese light in which the world seemed saturated or bleached, either way exposed".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This can be understood on the basis of density of defect states.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Much of the history of environmental ethics can be understood in terms of an expanding range of moral standing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Quality of care can be understood in light of two aspects: the resource structure of the care organization and patients' preferences.

BMC Women's Health

The progression of clinical-pathological correlations of AD can be understood in terms of disconnection syndromes and functional distributed networks underlying cognitive abilities [ 1, 3].

BioMed Research International

The strategy can be understood in terms of the theories of Rogers's Diffusion of Innovations[ 27].

BMC Public Health

Without determinate reference, the meaning of words can be understood in terms of inferential roles.

SEP

Moreover, the convergence properties of dropout can be understood in terms of stochastic gradient descent.

Artificial Intelligence

Thus, the unique spatiotemporal characteristic of deformation can be understood in terms of potential energy landscape (PEL) theory [30 33].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more direct and commonly used alternatives like "can be interpreted as" or "can be seen as" for clearer communication. This will enhance readability and avoid potential confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "can be understood of" in an attempt to sound formal or sophisticated. It can often make your writing sound awkward and less clear. Simpler phrasing is usually more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be understood of" functions as a passive construction indicating the potential for something to be interpreted or comprehended. Ludwig AI reports it is grammatically acceptable but not commonly used. Examples show its use in contexts requiring explanation or interpretation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the phrase "can be understood of" is an uncommon construction in contemporary English. Ludwig AI advises that it is better to use more direct and commonly accepted alternatives such as "can be interpreted as" or "can be seen as" to improve clarity. Its limited usage and potential for awkwardness suggest that writers should prefer simpler phrasing for more effective communication. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase appears in news, media and scientific contexts, but it is not highly frequent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be interpreted as

Focuses on the act of interpretation rather than a general understanding.

can be seen as

Emphasizes perception and perspective in understanding.

can be comprehended through

Highlights the means or method by which understanding is achieved.

is explainable by

Focuses on providing an explanation for something.

can be grasped from

Indicates that understanding is derived from a particular source or viewpoint.

is deducible from

Highlights a logical inference or deduction leading to understanding.

can be inferred from

Emphasizes the act of drawing conclusions based on available information.

is decipherable through

Implies that something can be understood by decoding or unraveling it.

can be appreciated in terms of

Suggests understanding through appreciation and consideration of various factors.

is intelligible when

Highlights the conditions under which something becomes understandable.

FAQs

What does "can be understood of" mean?

The phrase "can be understood of" suggests that something is capable of being interpreted or comprehended in a particular way. However, it's less common than alternatives like "can be understood" or "can be interpreted".

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

While grammatically acceptable, using "can be understood of" is rare. A more common and clear construction would be to use "can be understood as" or similar alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "can be understood of"?

Several alternatives offer clearer and more common ways to express the same idea, including "can be interpreted as", "can be seen as", and simply "can be understood".

Is "can be understood of" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "can be understood of" is grammatically correct but it's rarely used. Using alternatives like "can be understood" is generally preferred for better clarity and modern usage.