is understood to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"is understood to be" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is generally accepted as being true, even if it has not been stated outright. For example, "His success in the role is understood to be due to his hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Living is understood to be the exception.

The New York Times

Buckingham Palace is understood to be supportive.

The Guardian

Jordan is understood to be demanding £1m.

The Guardian - Sport

Style is understood to be a component of character.

Yale University

The investment is understood to be £25m-£30m £25m-£30m

The Times

The Home Office is understood to be checking that process.

The Times

It is understood to be examining six further incidents.

The Guardian

Fogle is understood to be continuing the expedition.

The Guardian - Sport

Simson is understood to be considering her options.

The Guardian

The deal is understood to be worth about €830 million.

The Times

He is understood to be of Brazilian origin.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for international English readers, "is understood to be" can be a useful way to introduce information that may be common knowledge in one cultural context but not in others.

Common error

Avoid using "is understood to be" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where direct, evidence-based statements are preferred. Instead, provide specific sources or data to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is understood to be" functions as a hedge or qualifier, indicating that a statement represents a common understanding or assumption rather than a definitively proven fact. As noted by Ludwig AI, it suggests a general acceptance without explicit confirmation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is understood to be" is a versatile tool for expressing widely accepted but unstated information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various writing contexts, especially when attributing information to a general consensus. While prevalent in news and academic writing, remember to avoid overuse in overly formal contexts and consider alternatives like ""is known to be"" or ""is believed to be"" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The frequency and authoritative sources confirm its common and accepted usage in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is known to be

Replaces "understood" with "known", suggesting a higher degree of certainty or established knowledge.

is believed to be

Substitutes "understood" with "believed", indicating a possibility or opinion rather than a confirmed fact.

is considered to be

Emphasizes a formal assessment or evaluation of something.

is regarded as

Implies a particular perspective or viewpoint is held by a group or individual.

is deemed to be

Suggests an official or authoritative judgement.

is thought to be

Indicates a conjecture or supposition without strong evidence.

is presumed to be

Implies an assumption based on probability or likelihood.

is recognized as

Highlights the widespread acknowledgment or acceptance of something.

is interpreted as

Focuses on the specific meaning or significance attributed to something.

it is gathered that

It emphasizes the action of deducing information rather than stating a common understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "is understood to be" to introduce information that is generally accepted but not explicitly stated. For example, "The company's success "is understood to be" a result of its innovative marketing strategies".

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

Alternatives include "is known to be", "is believed to be", or "is considered to be", depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it better to use "is understood to be" or "is known to be"?

"Is understood to be" suggests a general acceptance or assumption, while ""is known to be"" implies a higher degree of certainty or factual basis. Choose the phrase that best reflects the level of evidence supporting the statement.

What is the difference between "is understood to be" and "is assumed to be"?

"Is understood to be" suggests a common, though perhaps unstated, consensus. "Is assumed to be" implies a presumption or conjecture, often without widespread agreement.