it seems understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems understandable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be reasonable or logical based on the information available. Example: "Given the circumstances, it seems understandable that she chose to leave early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It seems understandable; a little funny; and very human.

The New York Times - Magazine

With all this faff, it seems understandable to skip the real baby part.

Independent

Marcus works in the same place, wears the same clothes and glasses, "and we share the same barber at the same place, the Pierre Hotel, so it seems understandable; it doesn't irk me".

The Guardian - Books

Whereas it seems understandable that countries restrict the sector of employment (for example to only horticulture or viticulture), workers should be free to choose their employer within that sector and organise themselves in unions.

Comparative Migration Studies

So, it seems understandable now that Dungy would not want the distraction of drafting Michael Sam because he just "wouldn't want to deal with all of it".

Huffington Post

The rapper spent 8 months behind bars on Rikers Island on gun charges, so it seems understandable that he isn't too enamored with the Big Apple.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

To me, at least, it seemed understandable why a young man under pressure might resort to plagiarism.

The New York Times

When Djokovic lost to the big-serving American Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon, in 2016, after an exhausting, emotional victory at the French Open, it seemed understandable, perhaps even inevitable.

The New Yorker

The Saints chose not to materially strengthen their squad after winning the Premiership last season and if it seemed understandable given the way they had stealthily developed strength in depth, but they have missed a rival to Stephen Myler at outside-half and their options in the back five have been restricted.

The Guardian - Sport

And "their" wish to silence him seems understandable.

The Economist

Months later, in the context of that night, it all seems understandable.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems understandable" to introduce an explanation or justification for a situation or behavior, especially when acknowledging potential objections or misunderstandings. This can help soften potentially critical statements and create a more empathetic tone.

Common error

While "it seems understandable" is useful, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Over-reliance can make your writing sound repetitive and lacking in nuance. Instead, vary your expressions with alternatives to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems understandable" functions as a sentence opener or clause connector, indicating that a particular situation or action is reasonable or logical given certain circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples across various sources illustrate its use in providing context and justification.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems understandable" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for indicating that something is reasonable or logical, particularly when providing context or explanation. Ludwig AI identifies that it is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources. While appropriate in many contexts, it's essential to vary your expressions and avoid overuse. Alternatives like "it appears reasonable" or "it sounds logical" can add nuance to your writing. Remember to use this phrase thoughtfully to foster understanding without appearing overly repetitive or dismissive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears reasonable

Replaces "seems understandable" with "appears reasonable", focusing on the aspect of being sensible or justifiable.

it looks justifiable

Substitutes "seems understandable" with "looks justifiable", highlighting the aspect of being defensible or warranted.

it sounds logical

Replaces "seems understandable" with "sounds logical", emphasizing the coherence and rationality of something.

it is fairly comprehensible

Changes the structure to focus on the level of comprehensibility directly, using "fairly" to indicate a moderate degree.

it's not hard to grasp

Uses an informal tone and emphasizes ease of understanding, rather than just being understandable.

one can easily appreciate why

Shifts the focus to the ability to appreciate the reasons behind something, suggesting a deeper understanding.

the rationale is apparent

Highlights that the reasons behind something are clear and evident, rather than just understandable.

the justification is clear

Focuses on the justification being evident and unambiguous.

it is easy to see why

Emphasizes the ease of understanding the cause or reason.

the reasons are clear

Highlights that the reasons are self-evident and easily understood.

FAQs

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

Use "it seems understandable" to introduce an explanation or justification for something that might initially seem surprising or questionable. For example, "Given the circumstances, "it seems understandable" that she was upset."

What are some alternatives to "it seems understandable"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears reasonable", "it looks justifiable", or "it sounds logical" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "it seems understandable"?

While generally correct, using "it seems understandable" might be inappropriate if you are trying to express strong disapproval or disagreement. In such cases, a more direct and critical statement would be more effective.

What's the difference between "it seems understandable" and "it seems obvious"?

"It seems obvious" implies that something is immediately apparent and requires little explanation. "It seems understandable" suggests that something requires some context or explanation to be seen as reasonable, but is still acceptable given certain information.