is understood to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is understood to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to convey that something is believed or believed to be true by a group of people. Example: The concept of climate change is understood to be a pressing global issue that requires immediate action. In this sentence, "is understood to" is used to suggest that the majority of people recognize and accept the fact that climate change is a serious issue.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Buckingham Palace is understood to be supportive.

The Guardian

Jordan is understood to be demanding £1m.

The Guardian - Sport

Industry regulator Oftel is understood to support the plan.

The Guardian

He is understood to have had a more pressing engagement.

The Guardian - Sport

She is understood to be the executor of his estate.

The Guardian - Sport

Universal is understood to have arranged alternative distribution.

The Guardian - Business

The winger is understood to have been deeply disillusioned.

The Guardian - Sport

The Home Office is understood to support the police.

The Guardian

Truss is understood to be considering his political future.

The Guardian

Accordingly, the record is understood to have instantly gone platinum.

The Guardian - Music

The meeting is understood to have lasted about 90 minutes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is understood to" when conveying information that is generally accepted but may not be definitively proven. For example, "Climate change "is understood to" have significant impacts on coastal regions."

Common error

Avoid overusing "is understood to" in formal writing where direct evidence can be presented. Instead of saying "The data is understood to show a correlation", provide the data and state "The data shows a correlation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is understood to" functions as a hedge, softening claims by indicating information that is generally accepted but not definitively proven. It frames statements as common knowledge or consensus, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is understood to" is a versatile phrase used to convey information that is widely accepted, though not necessarily proven. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse fields like news, science, and business. While alternatives like ""is believed to be"" or ""is known to be"" offer similar meanings, they carry subtle differences in certainty. When writing, use "is understood to" to indicate general consensus, but avoid overuse in formal contexts where direct evidence can be presented. The phrase "is understood to" serves as a useful tool for expressing common knowledge while acknowledging potential uncertainties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is believed to be

Indicates a belief or assumption, rather than a confirmed understanding.

is known to be

Suggests widespread knowledge or established fact, slightly stronger than "is understood to".

is considered to be

Implies a formal evaluation or judgment by a group or authority.

is thought to be

Indicates a less formal belief or opinion, often without concrete evidence.

is assumed to be

Suggests a presumption or starting point, rather than a well-supported understanding.

is generally accepted as

Highlights widespread agreement or consensus on a particular point.

is recognized as

Emphasizes formal acknowledgment or recognition of something's status or quality.

is deemed to be

Implies a formal assessment or judgment, often by an authority or legal body.

is interpreted as

Focuses on the way something is perceived or explained, rather than general understanding.

is regarded as

Highlights a particular viewpoint or assessment of someone or something.

FAQs

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

Use "is understood to" when you want to convey that something is generally believed or accepted, even if it's not a proven fact. For example: "The new policy "is understood to" benefit small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "is understood to"?

You can use alternatives like "is believed to be", "is known to be", or "is considered to be" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "is understood to"?

It's appropriate when the information is based on common knowledge or general consensus rather than definitive proof. It acknowledges a degree of uncertainty or interpretation.

Is there a difference between "is understood to" and "is known to"?

"Is understood to" suggests a general acceptance or belief, while "is known to" implies a higher degree of certainty or factual basis. The former is less assertive than the latter.