it is understandable that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is understandable that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that the circumstances of a situation are understandable, often when empathizing with someone or acknowledging a difficult situation. For example: "It is understandable that you're feeling overwhelmed with your classes this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For all its faults, it is understandable that it refuses to go away.

The New York Times - Arts

It is understandable that he did not look ready.

The New York Times - Sports

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

And it is understandable that he stayed in that rut.

The New Yorker

It is understandable that Mr. Geithner at times feels spent.

The New York Times

"So it is understandable that they wouldn't commit professional suicide".

The Guardian

It is understandable that many companies refuse to face reality.

The New York Times

It is understandable that some voters might be skeptical.

The New York Times

It is understandable that comptrollers prefer the current system.

The New York Times

It is understandable that Mr. Kalmanson watches his money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is understandable that" when you want to show empathy or acknowledge a situation's challenges, softening potentially critical statements.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "it is understandable that" in formal contexts; consider more direct and concise alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is understandable that" functions as a hedge, softening a statement by acknowledging the reasons behind it. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase, allowing a writer to introduce an explanation or express empathy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is understandable that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce explanations, express empathy, or justify a situation. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage. While appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal writing to maintain a concise tone. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating its broad applicability. Consider related phrases like "it makes sense that" or "it's reasonable to expect that" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it makes sense that

Highlights the logical coherence of a situation.

it's reasonable to expect that

Replaces "understandable" with "reasonable", focusing on logical expectation rather than empathy.

it stands to reason that

Uses a more formal tone, implying a logical conclusion.

it's only natural that

Suggests something is a normal or expected outcome.

it's not surprising that

Shifts the focus to the lack of surprise about the situation.

one can appreciate why

Emphasizes the ability to understand the reasons behind something.

it's conceivable that

Focuses on the possibility or likelihood of something occurring.

it's appreciable that

Highlights something worthy of admiration or gratitude.

it is forgivable that

Suggests something, even if wrong, is excusable under the circumstances.

it is excusable that

Similar to forgivable, focusing on the justification for an action.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is understandable that" to express empathy or acceptance of a situation. For example, "It is understandable that you are upset about the changes to the project."

What phrases are similar to "it is understandable that"?

Similar phrases include "it makes sense that", "it's reasonable to expect that", or "it stands to reason that", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "it is understandable that" formal or informal?

"It is understandable that" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more direct phrasing may be preferable in highly formal writing.

Can I replace "it is understandable that" with something more concise?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "understandably", "naturally", or simply state the reason directly without the introductory phrase.