it is understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It is understandable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you understand a particular situation or point of view. For example, "I understand why you decided to take this job. It is understandable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"On this level it is understandable.

The New York Times

It is understandable, but counter-productive.

Independent

If teams are skeptical, it is understandable.

The New York Times - Sports

It is understandable to a certain extent.

The Guardian - Sport

It may not be right, but it is understandable.

University of California, Berkeley

It is understandable that he did not look ready.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet it is understandable for a man in Jokanovic's position.

The Guardian - Sport

It is understandable that she has a political agenda.

The New York Times

It is understandable that it should be so.

The New York Times

If you are feeling shaky today, it is understandable.

The New York Times

That he was anxious about it is understandable.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is understandable" to acknowledge someone's feelings or actions, showing empathy and comprehension without necessarily agreeing with them.

Common error

Avoid using "it is understandable" repeatedly in formal documents or academic papers; opt for stronger, more precise language to convey understanding or acceptance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is understandable" primarily functions as an evaluative statement, expressing that a particular situation, feeling, or action is reasonable or expected given the circumstances. Ludwig's examples show this phrase used across a range of contexts to convey empathy or acknowledgement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is understandable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English to convey empathy, acknowledgement, or acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility across various contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, overuse should be avoided in favor of more specific language in formal documents. This phrase functions as an evaluative statement, indicating that a situation or feeling is reasonable. Common alternatives include "it's comprehensible" and "that makes sense". It’s usage is very common in News & Media, Science, and Academia, as reflected in numerous authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's comprehensible

Replaces "understandable" with a synonym emphasizing clarity and ease of understanding.

that makes sense

A more informal way of saying something is logical or expected.

it's reasonable

Indicates that the situation or action is logical and justifiable.

it's not surprising

Highlights that the situation is expected and aligns with previous knowledge or expectations.

it stands to reason

Indicates that the conclusion is logical and follows from the given information.

it's justifiable

Suggests that there are valid reasons or grounds for the action or situation.

it's to be expected

Suggests that the event or outcome was likely and should not cause surprise.

it's only natural

Emphasizes that the behavior or feeling is a normal response to the situation.

it's excusable

Implies that the action or situation can be forgiven or tolerated, often due to mitigating circumstances.

that figures

An informal way to express that something is predictable or consistent with past experiences.

FAQs

How can I use "it is understandable" in a sentence?

You can use "it is understandable" to express empathy or acknowledge a situation. For example, "Given the circumstances, it is understandable that you feel frustrated."

What are some alternatives to "it is understandable"?

Alternatives include "it's comprehensible", "it's reasonable", or "that makes sense", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it is understandable"?

Yes, "it is understandable" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express understanding or empathy.

When should I avoid using "it is understandable"?

While grammatically correct, avoid overuse in formal writing. Opt for more precise language that directly addresses the situation or feeling, such as "it stands to reason" or "it's to be expected".