it has been understood

USAGE SUMMARY

"It has been understood" is a typical usage of the English language, and can be used in both spoken and written English.
For example, "It has been understood that the meeting will occur at 10am on Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

It has been understood for a long time that modern humans and Neanderthals were contemporaries.

The New Yorker

Historically, it has been understood as a check on the corrupting, restive and libidinous side of the human soul.

The New York Times

No.From the start of the inquiry, it has been understood that the new terminal, which will increase Heathrow's passenger capacity by 50%, would get the go-ahead.

The Economist

Since the 19th century, it has been understood that everyone who leaves secondary school with a baccalaureate is entitled to a university place.

The Economist

The letters do not reveal what became of the "Doppeladler," though they do complicate the story of Wharton's first engagement, as it has been understood by her biographers.

The New Yorker

It has been understood for some time that epigenetic mechanisms play a key role in defining the "potentiality" of stem cells.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

It had been understood that Spektor was the real musician — and that Marsha was a close second.

The New York Times - Magazine

A century ago, in 1905, Einstein proved that time, as it had been understood by scientist and layman alike, was a fiction.

The New Yorker

I said there had never been any question of my being asked to own it; that it had been understood from the outset to be Peter O'Toole's own production.

The Guardian - Books

It had been understood Ticketus paid £24.4m in the season-ticket deal.

BBC

It had been understood that midfielder Tabanelli, 24, had joined the club on loan from Cagliari on transfer deadline day last Friday without the knowledge of manager Brian McDermott, who was sacked by Cellino's lawyer, Chris Farnell, that evening.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has been understood" to introduce a concept or fact that is generally known or accepted within a particular context. This signals shared knowledge and can strengthen your argument or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "it has been understood" in highly informal writing or speech. Simpler alternatives like "everyone knows" or "it's known" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been understood" functions as an introductory clause or parenthetical remark, indicating that the information following it is generally known or accepted. Ludwig examples show it introducing scientific findings, historical contexts, and commonly held beliefs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been understood" is a versatile phrase used to introduce information that is generally known or accepted. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, you can employ this phrase to establish common ground with your audience, but it is important to remember that it is typically suited for neutral to formal language registers. Alternatives like "it is widely known" or "it is generally accepted" might serve better in certain scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is widely known

Focuses on the breadth of knowledge rather than the process of understanding.

it is generally accepted

Emphasizes consensus and agreement on a particular idea.

it is a common understanding

Highlights the shared nature of the knowledge.

it is well established

Stresses the firm and long-standing nature of the knowledge.

it is a known fact

Presents the understanding as an indisputable truth.

it is common knowledge

Indicates the information is widely known and doesn't require explanation.

it is a given

Suggests something is assumed or taken for granted.

it is recognized

Implies acknowledgement or awareness of something.

it is appreciated

Emphasizes the value or importance attributed to something.

it is clear

Highlights the obvious or evident nature of something.

FAQs

How do I use "it has been understood" in a sentence?

"It has been understood" is typically used to introduce a fact or concept that is generally known or accepted. For example, "It has been understood that regular exercise is beneficial for health."

What are some alternatives to "it has been understood"?

You can use alternatives like "it is widely known", "it is generally accepted", or "it is common knowledge" depending on the specific context.

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

It's appropriate when you want to refer to a concept, practice, or idea that is well-established, or has become common knowledge, specially in formal contexts such as science and media publications.

Is "it was understood" the same as "it has been understood"?

"It was understood" implies that something was understood at a specific point in the past, while "it has been understood" suggests that something is currently understood, potentially over a longer period. For example, "It was understood at the meeting that changes were coming" vs. "It has been understood for years that smoking is harmful."