is to be understood as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is to be understood as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain how something should be interpreted or understood. For example: The term "virtue signalling" is to be understood as a way of expressing one's opinions in order to draw attention to one's moral values.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

("Some" is to be understood as meaning "at least one").

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Tarr's chilly tour de force is to be understood as art all right.

The New York Times

Caravaggio's painting is to be understood as a cautionary image of the cruel fate they might expect to meet were they to fall into captivity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Whether "explaining" or "seeing," such a logic is to be understood as an act taking place in the world of reality itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to the 21st-century heirs to the battle for moral hygiene, this is to be understood as a way of focusing on the prostitute as victim, not criminal.

The Guardian

In the context of a state based on an ideology-free version of Marxism, it's hard to know if that is to be understood as a success or a failure.

The Guardian - Arts

Here it is to be understood as implying an appreciation of the diversity of functions fulfilled by language and a theoretical recognition that the structure of languages is in large part determined by their characteristic functions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The word church in the 1st-century Gospel According to Matthew is to be understood as referring to the community of the faithful rather than to a definite ecclesiastical organization.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is no half-way house called "moral relativism," in which we continue to use normative vocabulary with the stipulation that it is to be understood as relativized to particular moral codes.

The New York Times

It should be emphasized that linking sites together is essential if the nature of an ancient society is to be understood, as the information at a single location may be relatively insignificant by itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is to be understood as an affirmation of God's absolute transcendence of creatures.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is to be understood as" to introduce a specific interpretation, especially when clarifying potentially ambiguous concepts or terms.

Common error

Avoid using "is to be understood as" for straightforward definitions. Opt for simpler phrasing like "means" or "is" to maintain clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

Linking phrase used to introduce a specific interpretation or definition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed. The primary function is to clarify the intended meaning of a term or concept, especially when ambiguity is possible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

Encyclopedias

22%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is to be understood as" serves as a crucial tool for clarifying meaning and specifying interpretations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly within academic, scientific, and media contexts. When aiming for precision and avoiding ambiguity, leverage this phrase to guide your audience towards the intended understanding. While alternatives like "should be interpreted as" or "effectively means" exist, "is to be understood as" distinguishes itself by explicitly highlighting the act of comprehension and shared understanding. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in scenarios where simpler alternatives suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in other words

Provides a restatement of something in simpler or clearer terms.

should be interpreted as

Emphasizes the act of interpreting, implying a potential for multiple interpretations.

put differently

Offers an alternative explanation or perspective.

can be defined as

Focuses on providing a formal definition, suitable for technical or academic contexts.

is equivalent to

Suggests a direct correspondence or equality in meaning.

is synonymous with

Highlights that two terms have the same or very similar meaning.

effectively means

Indicates the practical consequence or outcome of something.

amounts to

Implies a consequence or result, often used to simplify a complex situation.

is another way of saying

Offers an alternative phrasing for the same concept.

boils down to

Suggests reducing a complex topic to its most essential elements.

FAQs

How can I use "is to be understood as" in a sentence?

Use "is to be understood as" to introduce a specific interpretation or definition of a term or concept. For example, "In this context, the term 'productivity' "is to be understood as" a component in the carbon cycle".

What are some alternatives to "is to be understood as"?

You can use alternatives like "should be interpreted as", "can be defined as", or "effectively means" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is to be understood as" over simpler alternatives like "means"?

Use "is to be understood as" when you want to emphasize a particular or potentially non-obvious interpretation. Simpler alternatives are suitable for straightforward definitions.

Is there a difference between "is to be understood as" and "is to be interpreted as"?

While similar, "is to be understood as" suggests a generally accepted meaning, while "is to be interpreted as" implies there might be multiple valid interpretations.