could understand that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could understand that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the ability to comprehend or grasp a particular idea or situation. Example: "After hearing her explanation, I could understand that her decision was based on personal circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I could understand that man.

The New York Times

"If only women could understand that men — they're here to screw, their minds never leave screwing.

The New Yorker

Neither team wanted to come back on the field and I could understand that, Grier said.

The New York Times - Sports

Ashley admitted he could understand that question and said: "It's a difficult one, that".

The Guardian - Business

"I could understand that, but I could also understand the Rothbard group saying, Why don't you quit talking to Cato?" he said.

The New York Times

He said he could understand that peaceful activists objected to being monitored at open meetings when they had done nothing wrong.

The Guardian

"He said he felt it was the time, and that he was the only one who could understand that," Mr. Gifford said.

The New York Times

I could understand that: the stench of fresh seaweed washed ashore is enough to quash any desires I have too.

BBC

But it could understand that better and it could figure out what you want to do with this and how can I help.

TechCrunch

But even the early versions of our system could understand that".

Huffington Post

I wish that the people at Warner/Chappell could understand that".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could understand that" when you want to convey a sense of empathy or acknowledgment of someone else's perspective or situation.

Common error

While "could understand that" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "it was understandable that" or more specific verbs to express comprehension, such as "comprehended", "grasped", or "recognized".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could understand that" functions as a verb phrase expressing the ability to comprehend or empathize with a particular situation, reason, or feeling. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to convey understanding in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could understand that" is a versatile expression indicating comprehension, agreement, or empathy. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While "could understand that" is broadly acceptable, it's advisable to consider context-specific alternatives in formal writing to achieve greater precision. Ludwig's analysis underscores the importance of understanding the subtle nuances of this phrase and its effective use in conveying understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was able to comprehend that

Emphasizes ability and comprehension, using a more formal tone.

was able to grasp that

Highlights the act of seizing or understanding something quickly.

was capable of understanding that

Stresses the capability or potential to understand.

managed to understand that

Suggests that understanding was achieved despite some difficulty.

it was understandable that

Shifts the focus to the situation being understandable, rather than personal comprehension.

it made sense that

Indicates that something was logical or reasonable.

it was clear that

Emphasizes the clarity or obviousness of something.

that was comprehensible

Focuses on the quality of being easily understood.

that was clear to me

Indicates personal understanding and clarity.

I could see why

More conversational, implying understanding of reasons or motivations.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "could understand that"?

You can use alternatives like "was able to comprehend that", "was able to grasp that", or "it was understandable that" depending on the context.

How to use "could understand that" in a sentence?

"Could understand that" is typically followed by a clause explaining what was understood. For example, "I could understand that she was upset after the accident."

Which is correct, "could understand that" or "could understood that"?

"Could understand that" is correct. The word "could" is a modal verb, and it's always followed by the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "could understand that" and "understood that"?

"Could understand that" implies the ability to comprehend something, while "understood that" indicates that comprehension actually occurred. "I could understand that" suggests a potential for understanding, while "I understood that" confirms the understanding.