is understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is comprehended or accepted by someone. Example: "The concept of gravity is understood by most people, even if they cannot explain it in scientific terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is understood in Warsaw.

The Economist

Much, much less is understood in humans.

The New Yorker

This is understood by those defending privilege.

The Guardian - Opinion

The symbolism is understood," she says.

The Guardian - Music

Jordan is understood to be demanding £1m.

The Guardian - Sport

So, a little inconvenience is understood.

The New York Times

The word is understood around the world.

The Guardian

Industry regulator Oftel is understood to support the plan.

The Guardian

It is understood that they refused to train on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Sport

It is understood the NSW government has the same stance.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The winger is understood to have been deeply disillusioned.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is understood" when you want to emphasize that a concept or idea is generally accepted or comprehended by a specific audience. For example, "The importance of regular exercise is understood by most health professionals".

Common error

Don't use "is understood" when a simpler verb like "know" or "see" would suffice. Overusing passive voice can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted, especially in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is understood" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action of understanding, rather than the actor. As Ludwig AI shows, this construction is frequently used to express general comprehension or acceptance of a concept or fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is understood" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase indicating comprehension or general acceptance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal contexts. While versatile, it's best used when emphasizing general understanding, and writers should avoid overuse in simplistic contexts where more direct verbs would suffice. Alternatives like "is comprehended" or ""is known"" can provide nuanced variations in meaning, and help avoiding monotony.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is comprehended

Replaces "understood" with a synonym emphasizing thorough understanding.

is grasped

Implies a firm and complete understanding, often after some effort.

is known

A more general term indicating awareness or familiarity, not necessarily deep understanding.

is recognized

Highlights acknowledgement or awareness of something's existence or validity.

is acknowledged

Emphasizes formal acceptance or admission of something.

is appreciated

Indicates that something is valued or its importance is recognized.

is realized

Suggests a gradual understanding or coming to awareness.

is apparent

Indicates that something is easily seen or understood.

is clear

Similar to 'apparent', emphasizing lack of ambiguity.

is inferred

Highlights that understanding is derived from reasoning or deduction.

FAQs

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

Use "is understood" to indicate that a concept, fact, or implication is generally comprehended or accepted. For example, "It "is understood" that the meeting will be postponed".

What's the difference between "is understood" and "is known"?

"Is known" generally indicates simple awareness of a fact. "Is understood" implies a deeper comprehension of the underlying reasons or implications. Thus, something "is known", but something more complex "is understood".

What are some alternatives to "is understood"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is comprehended", "is recognized", or "is acknowledged" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "is understood" in formal writing?

Yes, "is understood" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It often appears in academic papers, reports, and official documents where the emphasis is on indicating general comprehension or agreement on a particular point.