it would be an understatement to suggest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be an understatement to suggest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that a statement or description does not fully capture the extent of a situation or feeling. Example: "To say that the project was challenging would be an understatement to suggest the level of difficulty we faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It would be an understatement to suggest that being the only British track cyclist to return from the 2008 Olympics without a medal rankled with Mark Cavendish.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Kershaw, Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu are on the disabled list, but Kershaw suggested it would be an understatement to say Buehler and Stripling have filled the void.

Los Angeles Times

To call it upscale would be an understatement.

The Washington Post

To call it sprawling would be an understatement.

The New York Times - Arts

To leave it there would be an understatement, though.

Forbes

To call it drastic would be an understatement.

TechCrunch

Calling it ambitious would be an understatement.

Los Angeles Times

To say it took off would be an understatement.

The Washington Post

To say that it was lucrative would be an understatement.

TechCrunch

Describing the odds of winning Saturday's Powerball drawing as "slim" would be an understatement — but it would also be an understatement to call the jackpot "big".

Los Angeles Times

To say it was a disappointment would be an understatement.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "it would be an understatement to suggest", ensure the context provides a clear indication of what the actual, more significant situation is, allowing the reader to fully grasp the intended effect. Providing explicit details following this phrase can enhance its impact and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it would be an understatement to suggest" in situations where a more direct statement would be more effective. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound verbose or overly cautious when directness is preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be an understatement to suggest" functions as a hedge or qualifier. It introduces a statement that deliberately downplays the true extent or severity of a situation. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it would be an understatement to suggest" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a statement that intentionally minimizes the actual situation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in English. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to add emphasis or soften a claim. Alternatives include phrases like "it would be minimizing to claim" or "that's putting it mildly". When using this phrase, ensure the context provides a clear contrast to the true, more significant situation to maximize its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be minimizing to claim

This alternative uses "minimizing" instead of "understatement", which directly addresses the act of reducing the importance of something.

it would be an oversimplification to say

This alternative focuses on the risk of making something too simple, rather than focusing on diminishing the truth or impact.

it's a gross understatement to suggest

Uses "gross understatement" to emphasize the degree to which the reality is greater than the statement suggests.

it is quite inadequate to suggest

Emphasizes the insufficiency of the suggestion.

to say is a massive understatement

Changes the sentence structure and emphasizes the understatement.

that's putting it mildly

A more informal way of indicating that something is much more significant than stated.

it's not saying enough to suggest

Focuses on the insufficiency of the words used.

it scarcely captures the reality to suggest

Highlights that the expression fails to adequately describe the actual situation.

the reality is far greater than suggesting

Shifts the focus to the significant difference between reality and the suggestion.

it barely scratches the surface to suggest

Uses a metaphor to illustrate how little the statement reveals about the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "it would be an understatement to suggest" in a sentence?

You can use "it would be an understatement to suggest" to introduce a statement that significantly downplays the reality of a situation. For example, "It would be an understatement to suggest the project was challenging; it nearly bankrupted the company."

What can I say instead of "it would be an understatement to suggest"?

You can use alternatives like "it would be minimizing to claim", "it would be an oversimplification to say", or "that's putting it mildly" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "it would be an understatement to say" or "it would be an understatement to suggest"?

Both "it would be an understatement to say" and "it would be an understatement to suggest" are grammatically correct, but "suggest" implies a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness, whereas "say" is more direct. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "it would be an understatement to suggest" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "it would be an understatement to suggest" when you want to emphasize that the reality of a situation is far more significant, intense, or extreme than your initial statement implies. It adds a layer of subtle emphasis.