it cannot be understated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it cannot be understated" is not correct; the correct expression is "it cannot be overstated." You can use it when emphasizing the importance or significance of something in a statement or argument.
Example: "The impact of climate change on our planet cannot be overstated; it affects every aspect of our environment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But it cannot be understated just how close Wenger came to losing the trust that is so famously proclaimed in him by Arsenal's supporters.

The New York Times

In raw physical terms it cannot be understated how much this news actually matters.

TechCrunch

But the ability to expand that once you've built familiarity with it cannot be understated.

TechCrunch

This may seem like an elementary tidbit but it cannot be understated.

Forbes

But it cannot be understated that apps - and technology - are not substitutes for human experience and knowledge.

Huffington Post

It cannot be understated how awesome the real-time nature of new Facebook is and that shines with the sections.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And its importance cannot be understated.

The Economist

Community engagement in KT efforts may influence their impact significantly, and its importance cannot be understated.

BMC Health Services Research

This sounds simple, but its importance cannot be understated.

WikiHow

The significance of the GDPR cannot be understated; it is something that every business owner or leader should understand and lead on.

Forbes

When it comes to next-gen recruitment methods, social media's importance cannot be understated as it continues to take an increasingly mainstream role in recruitment strategies adopted by best-in-class companies.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While the phrase "it cannot be understated" is used, be aware that many consider it incorrect. Opt for "it cannot be overstated" or other alternatives to ensure grammatical correctness and maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "it cannot be understated" because it's often perceived as a mistake for the correct idiom "it cannot be overstated". Using the wrong phrase can undermine your argument and make your writing appear less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it cannot be understated" is intended to function as an emphatic expression highlighting the significant impact or importance of something. However, based on Ludwig AI, the correct expression is "it cannot be overstated," indicating a potential misunderstanding or misuse of the term.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it cannot be understated" appears in various sources, including news, science, and academic publications, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is typically to emphasize the importance of something, but the correct idiom is "it cannot be overstated". Given the potential for misinterpretation, it's advisable to use alternatives like "it is critically important" or "it holds great significance" to ensure clarity and maintain credibility. Be cautious when using "it cannot be understated", especially in formal or professional contexts, as its incorrect usage may undermine the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it cannot be overemphasized

Emphasizes the point that something's importance is so great that it's difficult to stress it enough, focusing on the degree of emphasis.

it is of utmost importance

Directly states the high level of importance, differing in structure by using a straightforward declaration.

it is critically important

Highlights the critical nature of something, shifting the focus to the necessity of the matter.

it holds great significance

Focuses on the significance or consequence of something, differing in word choice but maintaining a similar level of emphasis.

it warrants careful attention

Suggests that something requires thorough consideration due to its importance, changing the focus to the need for attentiveness.

it should not be minimized

Emphasizes the idea that something's importance should not be reduced or treated as insignificant, highlighting the need to avoid underestimation.

it is paramount

Indicates that something is supreme in importance, offering a more concise expression of high significance.

it is indispensable

Highlights the essential nature of something, focusing on its necessity and the inability to do without it.

its impact is substantial

Shifts focus to the considerable effect or influence something has, changing the emphasis from general importance to specific consequences.

the implications are far-reaching

Highlights that something has extensive and significant consequences, differing by focusing on the broad scope of the effects.

FAQs

What is the correct way to express that something is very important?

Instead of using the phrase "it cannot be understated", which is often considered incorrect, you can say "it cannot be overstated" to emphasize the importance of something.

Are there alternative phrases to "it cannot be overstated"?

Yes, you can use phrases such as "it is critically important", "it holds great significance", or "it is of utmost importance" to express the same idea.

Is "it cannot be understated" grammatically correct?

While you may encounter "it cannot be understated" in writing, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The intended phrase is "it cannot be overstated", which has the opposite meaning.

What's the difference between "it cannot be understated" and "it cannot be overstated"?

"It cannot be understated" implies that something is being presented as less important than it actually is, while "it cannot be overstated" means something is so important that it's difficult to exaggerate its significance. The latter is the generally accepted and correct phrase.