it is understood to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"It is understood to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something is generally accepted as true or understood without having to be stated explicitly. For example: "It is understood to be protocol to call ahead and let your host know you will be arriving late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

It is understood to be examining six further incidents.

The Guardian

It is understood to be looking for a potential buyer.

The Guardian - Business

Twitter refused to comment, but it is understood to be aware of the development.

The Guardian

The CPS declined to name the man, although it is understood to be the shamed entertainer.

Independent

The CPS declined to name the man, although it is understood to be Harris.

The Guardian

Details of the contract were not made public but it is understood to be worth more than £1 million.

The Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's called premium support, but it's understood to be a voucher program.

The New York Times

Rather, it's understood to be that way from the start.

The Economist

It was understood to be part of our larger duties and responsibilities to the world.

MIT Technology Review

It was understood to be a distant aspiration, not a concrete midterm goal.

The Guardian - Opinion

But being fat isn't just an aesthetic bane; it's understood to be a medical one as well.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is understood to be" when you want to indicate that something is a common understanding or expectation, even if it hasn't been explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "it is understood to be" too frequently in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more direct and assertive phrasing to maintain a strong and confident tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is understood to be" functions as an introductory expression used to present information that is generally accepted or implied, often without explicit proof or attribution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signals common knowledge or expectation. This construction is frequently found in various forms of reporting and analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is understood to be" is a common phrase used to introduce information that is generally accepted or implied, often without explicit proof. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates a common understanding or expectation. Predominantly found in news, business, and more formal contexts, the phrase serves to convey information widely accepted, setting a premise for further discussion. While generally correct, overusing it in highly formal writing should be avoided to maintain a confident tone. Alternatives like "it is generally accepted as" or "it is commonly known as" can provide similar meaning with subtle differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is generally accepted as

Focuses on widespread acceptance rather than implicit understanding.

it is commonly known as

Emphasizes common knowledge and widespread familiarity.

it is widely believed to be

Highlights the belief aspect, suggesting a consensus view.

it is presupposed to be

Indicates a prior assumption or precondition.

it is taken for granted that

Suggests something is accepted without question or proof.

it is considered to be

Highlights a formal assessment or opinion.

it is recognized as

Emphasizes formal acknowledgement or validation.

the assumption is that

Directly states that the phrase relies on something assumed.

it's implicitly known as

Highlights that knowledge is implied rather than directly stated.

it's tacitly agreed upon as

Focuses on unspoken agreement or consensus.

FAQs

How can I use "it is understood to be" in a sentence?

Use "it is understood to be" to indicate that something is generally accepted or implied, even if not explicitly stated. For example, "It is understood to be confidential" means that everyone knows the information should not be shared.

What are some alternatives to "it is understood to be"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is generally accepted as", "it is commonly known as", or "it is widely believed to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "it is understood to be"?

The phrase "it is understood to be" is inherently passive. While grammatically correct, consider rewriting the sentence in active voice if you want to emphasize who understands or believes something. For example, instead of "it is understood to be the policy", you could write "everyone understands the policy is..."

What's the difference between "it is understood to be" and "it is said to be"?

"It is understood to be" implies a common, perhaps unspoken, agreement or assumption. "It is said to be", on the other hand, suggests that something is reported or rumored, without necessarily implying widespread acceptance.