it cannot be understated enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it cannot be understated enough" is not correct in English.
The correct expression is "it cannot be overstated enough." You can use it when emphasizing the importance or significance of a particular point or idea. Example: "The impact of climate change on our planet cannot be overstated enough; it affects every aspect of our lives."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Whatever the case, it cannot be understated enough that we are a violent society and guns are often used to commit violence.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

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

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

Its importance as a NATO ally cannot be understated.

The Economist

Metallica's influence on this style cannot be understated, with clear lines between it and groups ranging from Tool to Mastodon.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it cannot be understated enough". Opt for the grammatically correct and widely accepted alternative: "it cannot be overstated enough".

Common error

The error often stems from a misunderstanding of the intended meaning. "Understated" implies minimizing importance, while the intended meaning is to emphasize it. Always use "overstated" in this context to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, while grammatically questionable, functions as an intensifier, aiming to highlight the paramount importance or significance of a subject. Ludwig AI indicates the more accepted form is "it cannot be overstated enough". The original phrase's intent is to underscore an idea's weight.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it cannot be understated enough" aims to stress the importance of something, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using "it cannot be overstated enough" instead. Other alternatives include "it cannot be emphasized enough" and "it cannot be stressed enough". Although occasionally found in News & Media, Science, and Business contexts, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing to maintain clarity and credibility. Remember to opt for grammatically sound alternatives to effectively convey the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it cannot be overstated enough

Replaces "understated" with "overstated" resulting in correct grammatical structure.

it cannot be emphasized enough

Substitutes "understated" with "emphasized", focusing on the act of highlighting importance.

it cannot be stressed enough

Replaces "understated" with "stressed", highlighting the need for strong emphasis.

the importance cannot be overstated

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the "importance" as the subject.

the significance cannot be understated

Uses "significance" instead of "importance", retaining a similar meaning.

it's of utmost importance

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct statement of importance.

it's critically important

Uses a simpler structure emphasizing the critical nature of the subject.

we must emphasize

Shifts the focus to the speaker's action of emphasizing.

it's paramount

Replaces the entire phrase with a single word indicating supreme importance.

it's absolutely essential

Emphasizes the essential nature of the subject.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it cannot be understated enough"?

The correct phrase is "it cannot be overstated enough". The term "understated" implies minimizing importance, which is the opposite of the intended meaning.

What does "it cannot be overstated enough" mean?

It means that something is extremely important or significant, and its importance is difficult to fully express or emphasize adequately. It suggests that whatever is being discussed is of paramount importance.

Are there other phrases I can use instead of "it cannot be overstated enough"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "it cannot be emphasized enough", "it cannot be stressed enough", or "it's of utmost importance" depending on the specific context.

Is "it cannot be understated" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it cannot be understated" is grammatically correct, but it has a different meaning. It means that something is actually less important or significant than it might seem. Be careful not to confuse it with the intended meaning of "it cannot be overstated enough".