clearly understood

USAGE SUMMARY

"clearly understood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to emphasize that someone has understood something clearly. For example: "I explained the instructions very thoroughly, so I'm sure they are clearly understood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Kalin clearly understood all this.

The New York Times - Magazine

But they clearly understood each other.

The New York Times

The mice clearly understood our arrangement.

The New York Times

Van Steen clearly understood this implicit relationship.

The Guardian - Music

Here was an author who clearly understood my pain.

The New York Times - Tech

For me, I quite clearly understood what was going on".

The New York Times

Williams clearly understood the sport's essential nature, which is frustration.

The New Yorker

The cultural mechanics of becoming American are clearly understood.

The New Yorker

"He clearly understood all the angles," Mr. Scully said.

The New York Times

In the film the youngsters clearly understood this.

The Guardian - Books

This point is not clearly understood by the Spanish people.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clearly understood" when you want to emphasize that a concept or instruction was grasped without any ambiguity. For instance, "The implications of the new policy were clearly understood by all employees."

Common error

Avoid using "clearly understood" in contexts where active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The instructions were clearly understood by the students", consider "The students clearly understood the instructions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly understood" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier followed by a past participle verb. It indicates the manner in which something was understood, emphasizing the clarity and lack of ambiguity in comprehension. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

44%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clearly understood" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize that something has been grasped without ambiguity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, including news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. While it is more frequently found in formal settings, it adapts well to informal contexts as well. When writing, ensure active voice is used over passive to enhance impact. Alternatives include phrases like "plainly understood" or "fully grasped", each offering a slightly different nuance. Using "clearly understood" assures your audience that there was no confusion in comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly comprehended

Replaces 'understood' with 'comprehended', maintaining the clarity of understanding.

perfectly understood

Implies complete and flawless understanding.

definitely understood

Emphasizes the certainty of understanding.

plainly understood

This alternative emphasizes the ease and obviousness of understanding.

obviously understood

Highlights that the understanding is easily perceived.

thoroughly understood

Stresses the depth and completeness of understanding.

evidently understood

This phrase highlights that understanding is apparent or obvious from the situation.

patently understood

Similar to 'plainly', this emphasizes that understanding is undeniable and evident.

well understood

Indicates a thorough and complete understanding.

fully grasped

Uses 'grasped' to mean understood, emphasizing a complete understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "clearly understood" to emphasize that something has been grasped without ambiguity. For example: "The contract terms were "clearly understood" by all parties involved."

What are some alternatives to "clearly understood"?

Alternatives include "plainly understood", "evidently understood", or "fully grasped", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "clearly understood" or "well understood"?

"Clearly understood" emphasizes the lack of ambiguity in understanding, while "well understood" implies a thorough and complete understanding. The best choice depends on the context.

Can "clearly understood" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "clearly understood" is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in formal writing and speech.