it was mutually understood that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was mutually understood that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that two or more parties have a shared understanding or agreement about something. Example: "In our discussions, it was mutually understood that all decisions would be made collaboratively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's mutually understood, for example, that everybody goes home at night.

The New Yorker

If the question or answer was not clear, the interviewers repeated the question, or repeated their interpretation of the respondent's answer, to ensure that the message was mutually understood.

Human Resources for Health

It appears that reality, when its limitations and opportunities are mutually understood and acknowledged, is not only compatible with romance, but actually supportive and contributory to it.

HuffPost

Conceptualization of a structured report in pancreatic cancer requires knowledge of the imaging findings, which should then be incorporated into the most commonly used staging systems as well as the use of a common lexicon that is mutually understood and used by radiologists, oncologists, gastroenterologists and hepatopancreaticobiliary surgeons.

Cancer Imaging

"It was mutually agreed that this relationship should end on July 4 2002.

The Guardian - Sport

But it was mutually beneficial.

The New York Times

I think it was mutually beneficial.

The New York Times

Let's meet up for coffee afterwards!" My friend understood and was not offended, which made me realize that it's mutually beneficial to be honest.

Huffington Post

"Nothing was spoken, it was just mutually understood".

The Guardian - Books

He argued that bestiality is moral so long as it's mutually pleasurable.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's mutually beneficial".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates who the parties involved are and what the subject of their understanding is, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming something is "mutually understood" without verifying that all parties actually share the same understanding. Miscommunication can arise if assumptions are made without explicit confirmation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was mutually understood that" functions as a connector, indicating a shared assumption or agreement between parties. As shown by Ludwig, this expression is used to convey that a consensus was reached without needing explicit communication.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was mutually understood that" indicates a shared agreement or assumption among parties, often without explicit communication. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and functions as a connector to establish common ground. While it can be used in various contexts, it is crucial to ensure that such an understanding truly exists and is not merely an assumption. Consider using alternatives such as "it was agreed that" or "there was a shared understanding that" depending on the context. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is suitable for professional and neutral communication, making it a versatile tool for conveying implicit agreements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was agreed that

Replaces "mutually understood" with a more direct expression of agreement.

there was a shared understanding that

Focuses on the common understanding among parties involved.

it was a tacit agreement that

Emphasizes the unspoken nature of the agreement, similar to "mutually understood".

it was implicitly agreed that

Highlights the implied, rather than explicitly stated, nature of the agreement.

all parties concurred that

A more formal way of saying that everyone agreed.

there was an unsaid agreement that

Emphasizes that the agreement existed without explicit communication.

everyone was on the same page regarding

Indicates a consensus or alignment in thinking.

it was presupposed that

Suggests the understanding was assumed beforehand.

the assumption was that

Highlights the underlying assumption leading to a mutual understanding.

it was taken for granted that

Indicates the understanding was so common it was assumed.

FAQs

What does "it was mutually understood that" mean?

The phrase "it was mutually understood that" means there was a shared, though perhaps unspoken, agreement or understanding among the parties involved.

How can I use "it was mutually understood that" in a sentence?

You can use the phrase to describe a situation where an agreement or understanding was reached without explicit discussion. For example, "It was mutually understood that everyone would contribute to the project."

What are some alternatives to "it was mutually understood that"?

You can use alternatives like "it was agreed that", "there was a shared understanding that", or "it was implicitly agreed that", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "it was mutually understood that" versus "it was explicitly agreed that"?

Use "it was mutually understood that" when the agreement was implicit or unspoken. Use "it was explicitly agreed that" when the agreement was discussed and clearly stated.