it's perfectly understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

"it's perfectly understandable" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone else's feelings or actions are understandable, especially when it is difficult to sympathize with them. For example, you could say "I know you're upset about having to stay in for the weekend, but it's perfectly understandable given the circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

As for prog rock's skeptics, it's perfectly understandable considering the genre's bloated, overkill tendencies.

Huffington Post

Responding to calls for him to go, he said: "I think it's perfectly understandable, I understand the anger that they feel, the upset that they feel about the treatment of their loved ones in Mid-Staffordshire hospital.

BBC

It's kind of tough for me to swallow personally but it's perfectly understandable from the team's standpoint, and that's what matters most, he said.

The New York Times - Sports

It's perfectly understandable, of course, for Mr. Opdyke's sculptures are entertaining, witty and crafty.

The New York Times

It's perfectly understandable that governments want to watch who's coming in.

Huffington Post

Let's take these steps point by point: THE VOLATILITY COULD BE WORSE It's perfectly understandable if you feel as if you have whiplash right about now.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Particularly in these difficult economic times," Mr. Koppel wrote, "it is perfectly understandable that Disney would jump at the opportunity to increase earnings by replacing 'Nightline' with the more profitable David Letterman show".

The New York Times

It was perfectly understandable for Spain to give its team the mother of all fiestas when it paraded the World Cup through Madrid on Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

It was perfectly understandable for Spain to give its team the mother of all fiestas when they paraded the World Cup through Madrid on Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Koppel's reaction was dismayingly mild, holding on this page that "it is perfectly understandable that Disney would jump at the opportunity to increase earnings......

The New York Times

As long as this scandal continues to dominate the headlines, looking like News International's own Lady Hackbeth will continue to be a bit trying and it is perfectly understandable that you have been feeling a little fraught.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's perfectly understandable" to acknowledge and validate someone's feelings or actions, especially when they might seem irrational at first glance. This demonstrates empathy and encourages open communication.

Common error

Avoid using "it's perfectly understandable" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive and diminish its impact. Instead, vary your language by using alternative phrases such as "it's entirely reasonable" or "it makes perfect sense".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's perfectly understandable" functions as an adjective phrase providing commentary on a situation, feeling, or action. It serves to express empathy and validate the reasonableness of something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is appropriate to use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's perfectly understandable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to express empathy, validation, and comprehension. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is used across various contexts, but is most prevalent in news and media. While it conveys a similar meaning to other phrases like "it's entirely reasonable" or "it makes perfect sense", it is important not to overuse it and to be mindful of the specific nuance you want to communicate. Overall, using this phrase in your writing can demonstrate that you recognize and acknowledge the feelings and actions of others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's entirely reasonable

Replaces "understandable" with "reasonable", emphasizing the logical aspect.

it makes perfect sense

Highlights that something is coherent and logical.

it's completely justifiable

Focuses on the defensible nature of the action or feeling.

it's only natural

Emphasizes that an action is a normal human response.

it's quite logical

Highlights the logical consistency behind something.

it's readily comprehensible

Focuses on how easy something is to understand.

it's totally predictable

Emphasizes the expected nature of the event or reaction.

it stands to reason

Suggests a logical conclusion based on the available evidence.

it's easily forgiven

Suggests the action or feeling is excusable under the circumstances.

it's hardly surprising

Indicates that the outcome or feeling was anticipated.

FAQs

How can I use "it's perfectly understandable" in a sentence?

You can use "it's perfectly understandable" to express empathy or acknowledge someone's reaction. For example, "It's perfectly understandable that you're upset after receiving that news."

What are some alternatives to saying "it's perfectly understandable"?

You can use alternatives like "it's entirely reasonable", "it's quite logical", or "it makes perfect sense" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it's perfectly understandable"?

Yes, "it's perfectly understandable" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

What's the difference between "it's understandable" and "it's perfectly understandable"?

While both phrases convey understanding, "it's perfectly understandable" adds emphasis. The word "perfectly" intensifies the sense of understanding, making it stronger than simply saying "it's understandable".