i was understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was understandable" is grammatically correct but may not be commonly used in written English.
It can be used when reflecting on a past situation where you believe your communication was clear and easy to comprehend. Example: "During the meeting, I was understandable when I explained the project details, and everyone seemed to grasp the concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The person receiving a call from me said I was understandable, but the sound was a little hollow, which is typical for mobile phone fidelity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As mentioned in Section 2.1, the poor classification accuracy of meta-cluster I is understandable, since that cluster contained the largest number of tags and was also considered to contain the weakest links between the tags (see Figure 1).

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

"If what I proposed was understandable and at the same time a little wild and poetic, that was the choice," Mr. Drexler said by telephone from Madrid.

The New York Times - Arts

"It has been a while since we have been in the winner's enclosure so I suppose it was understandable that we dropped off a bit.

BBC

Now, 15 years later, I think his response was understandable and if anything, respectably understated.

Huffington Post

His assumption was understandable since I am from India.

Huffington Post

I think it's simple, I think it's understandable; I think it is a populist, proven approach.

Huffington Post

Which I suppose is understandable, but still... why did it happen that way?

The Guardian

The feelings I felt were understandable but still slightly depraved; an instinctive urge for vendetta.

Vice

I said, "That's understandable," although I didn't understand his perspective he was the first guy I met in Denver that was unhappy about weed being legal.

Vice

This is understandable as I was also disgusted at my lame attempt to spark some sexual consideration from you, but now I have a vomit encrusted waffle top from the gap.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was understandable", ensure the context clarifies what you communicated and why being easily understood was important.

Common error

Avoid using "I was understandable" to imply general competence or intelligence. This phrase specifically refers to how clearly you conveyed a message, not your overall abilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was understandable" functions as a statement describing the speaker's clarity in a past situation. While grammatically correct, as noted by Ludwig AI, its usage is infrequent. The example from the New York Times illustrates this usage in describing the speaker's clarity during a phone call.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was understandable" is grammatically correct but not commonly used. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid way to express that you were clear and easily understood in a past situation. However, alternatives like "I was clear" or "I made myself clear" are often preferred for their directness and wider acceptance. While infrequent, its usage in news and media sources suggests it can appear in neutral contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of its scope and ensure the context clearly highlights the clarity of your communication. The most frequent source using it is The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was clear

Replaces "understandable" with the simpler and more direct adjective "clear."

I made myself clear

Highlights the effort made to ensure that the message was easily understood.

I was easily understood

Uses the passive voice to emphasize the ease with which someone comprehended what was said.

My explanation was clear

Shifts the focus from the speaker to the explanation itself being clear.

I expressed myself clearly

Focuses on the clarity of one's expression.

I articulated myself well

Focuses on the speaker's skill in expressing themselves effectively.

I presented it understandably

Focuses on the manner of presentation, suggesting that it was done in an accessible way.

I spoke comprehensibly

Emphasizes the manner of speaking, indicating that it was easy to follow.

I communicated effectively

Broadens the scope to encompass all aspects of communication, not just clarity.

I was well-spoken

Indicates eloquence and clarity in speech.

FAQs

How can I use "I was understandable" in a sentence?

You can use "I was understandable" to reflect on a past situation where you believe your communication was clear. For example: "During the presentation, "I was understandable" when explaining the complex data, ensuring everyone grasped the key insights."

What can I say instead of "I was understandable"?

You can use alternatives like "I was clear", "I was easily understood", or "I articulated myself well" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "I was understandable" or "I made myself clear"?

"I made myself clear" is generally a more common and readily accepted phrase. ""I was understandable"" is grammatically correct but less frequently used and can sound slightly awkward.

What's the difference between "I was understandable" and "my explanation was clear"?

""I was understandable"" focuses on your ability to be understood, while "my explanation was clear" focuses on the quality of the explanation itself. The latter is often a more objective and preferred way to describe the situation.