is totally understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is totally understandable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is easy to comprehend or makes sense in a given context. Example: "Given the circumstances, her reaction to the news is totally understandable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

This is totally understandable as an instinct, but deplorable when that instinct kills children.

The New Yorker

Parents flock to get their children into them, which is totally understandable.

Independent

This is totally understandable, of course; humor is subjective, much like curly hair or freckles.

The New York Times

Politicians' anger in the face of the Paris attacks is totally understandable.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think I got a smack in the chops, which now is totally understandable.

The Guardian - Music

Carly Fiorina, Priebus said that the excitement her résumé is generating among the Republican faithful is totally understandable.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It's totally understandable.

The New Yorker

But that's totally understandable.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It's totally understandable," she said.

The New York Times

The draw was totally understandable in the circumstances".

The Guardian - Sport

"Budget cuts are totally understandable, especially today," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase; while common, it may be perceived as informal in some professional or academic settings. Choose the appropriate synonym depending on your context.

Common error

While "is totally understandable" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "is entirely justifiable" or "is perfectly comprehensible" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is totally understandable" functions as a subject complement, attributing a quality of comprehensibility to a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use, indicating its acceptability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is totally understandable" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express that something is easy to comprehend or makes sense. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context. In formal settings, synonyms like "is completely reasonable" or "is entirely justifiable" might be more appropriate. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media, but appears across various domains. Remember to clearly state the reason for something being understandable to avoid any ambiguity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is completely reasonable

Emphasizes the logical and rational aspect of being understandable.

makes perfect sense

Indicates a clear and logical understanding of something.

is quite reasonable

Similar to 'is completely reasonable', but with a slightly less emphatic tone.

is perfectly comprehensible

Focuses on the ease with which something can be understood.

is entirely justifiable

Highlights the defensibility and rightness of a situation or action.

is easy to grasp

Stresses the simplicity and straightforwardness of understanding.

is fully appreciated

Highlights a deep level of understanding and acknowledgement.

is readily apparent

Highlights that something is obvious and easily noticeable.

is logically sound

Focuses on the logical coherence and validity of something.

is entirely acceptable

Emphasizes the permissibility or approval of something.

FAQs

What does "is totally understandable" mean?

The phrase "is totally understandable" means that something is easily comprehended or makes sense, often in light of specific circumstances or context.

What can I say instead of "is totally understandable"?

You can use alternatives like "is completely reasonable", "makes perfect sense", or "is entirely justifiable" depending on the context.

Is "is totally understandable" formal or informal?

While "is totally understandable" is common and accepted, it leans towards the informal side. In formal writing, consider more sophisticated synonyms.

How to use "is totally understandable" in a sentence?

Example: "Given the difficult situation, his reaction "is totally understandable"."