can be understood to mean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be understood to mean" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to clarify or interpret the meaning of a statement or concept. Example: "The results of the study can be understood to mean that there is a significant correlation between exercise and mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Jaśkowski chose to introduce a connective which he called discussive implication, ⊃d, defined as ◊A ⊃ B. This connective can be understood to mean that "if some participant states that A, then B".

SEP

"Prebiotic chemistry" can be understood to mean various things: chemistry which occurred before life began or the chemistry which led to life on Earth, and possibly on other planets.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Herrigel's thought that "the archer ceases to be conscious of himself as the one who is engaged in hitting the bull's-eye which confronts him" ("Zen in the Art of Archery," 1948) can be understood to mean that it is not you that is involved in the outcome but the arrow.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Hume sets out to clarify what we can best be understood to mean when we talk about liberty and necessity, and to show that so understood, there is no conflict between them.

SEP

Like Rhodes describes, handmade can be understood to not only mean skilled, special and unique but edgy, underground and cool [15 ]

European Journal of Futures Research

The correspondence principle can be understood broadly to mean that as a quantum system system is scaled up to macroscopic size, its behavior should become more like a classical system.

SEP

Therefore, instead of assuming linear correlation with ICP, PI can rather be understood to be inversely proportional to mean CPP or directly proportional to ABP, and a non-linear proportion to artery/arteriole compliance in the cerebral bed, cerebrovascular resistance, and heart rate.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

But elsewhere it should be read, it can be understood, it means something.

The Guardian - Books

However, the IstructE-guideline [3] specifies for the activity bobbing dynamic parameters of the human body which can be understood as mean values for larger groups.

Procedia Engineering

It is believed that the emotions evoked by a natural image can be understood by means of aesthetics gap concept.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

The wetting transition can be understood using a mean-field construction.

Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be understood to mean", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to grasp the intended interpretation. Avoid ambiguity by offering supporting details or examples.

Common error

Avoid using "can be understood to mean" when the interpretation is already universally accepted or self-evident. Overusing the phrase can make your writing seem unnecessarily cautious or pedantic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be understood to mean" functions as a modal expression introducing an interpretation or explanation. As noted by Ludwig, it suggests a possible, but not necessarily definitive, understanding. It is used to present a particular way of interpreting a concept, statement, or action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be understood to mean" serves as a modal phrase used to introduce a specific interpretation or explanation. Ludwig indicates this usage is grammatically correct and generally employed in neutral to formal contexts, such as science and news media, to offer a considered analysis. While direct alternatives like "means" or "implies" exist, this phrase is chosen when acknowledging multiple possible interpretations. Therefore, while the expression is appropriate, be mindful of the context and ensure it adds value by clarifying potential ambiguities instead of stating the obvious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be interpreted as

Emphasizes the act of interpreting something with a specific meaning.

can be taken to imply

Highlights the implied meaning or suggestion of something.

can be seen as

Focuses on the perspective or viewpoint from which something is understood.

can be considered as

Suggests a more formal or deliberate evaluation of the meaning.

can be thought of as

Implies a conceptual understanding or analogy.

can be understood as signifying

Specifically denotes that the phrase carries a symbolic weight.

is tantamount to

Emphasizes equivalence in meaning or effect.

effectively means

Focuses on the practical result or implication.

is synonymous with

Highlights the interchangeability of meanings.

boils down to

Conveys a simplification to the core meaning.

FAQs

What does "can be understood to mean" imply in a sentence?

It suggests that a particular interpretation is possible or valid, often when multiple interpretations exist. It indicates a nuanced understanding rather than a definitive statement.

How can I rephrase "can be understood to mean" to sound more direct?

Alternatives include "means", "implies", or "suggests", depending on the context and desired level of certainty.

When is it appropriate to use "can be understood to mean" instead of "means"?

Use "can be understood to mean" when you want to acknowledge that the interpretation is not the only possible one, or when you are offering a specific reading of something that might be open to debate.

Is there a more formal alternative to "can be understood to mean"?

More formal alternatives might include "can be interpreted as" or "can be construed to mean", which add a layer of analytical distance.