it would be understandable if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be understandable if" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a certain reaction or behavior can be justified under specific circumstances. Example: "It would be understandable if you felt overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Beth Israel's chairman, Morton P. Hyman, said the department "never fell off the radar screen," but other officials say it would be understandable if Beth Israel focused its attention on newer and more technologically challenging departments.

The New York Times

IT would be understandable if one confused a slimy, barnacle-covered rock with an unopened oyster.

The New York Times - Travel

It would be understandable if Bush officials were nostalgic for those days.

The Economist

It would be understandable if Burakovsky welcomed a change of scenery.

The Washington Post

But it would be understandable if some potential ticket buyers struggled to get past the title.

The Guardian

DH It would be understandable if France were already looking ahead to their match against Spain.

The Guardian - Sport

Given his father's fate, it would be understandable if he were reluctant to submit himself to extradition.

The Economist

Perhaps, then, it would be understandable if few seem terribly eager for a klatch about racism over a Frappuccino.

The Economist

It would be understandable if the mood at Goizueta Business School, at Emory University in Atlanta, was a bit gloomy.

The Economist

It would be understandable if Dimon and other bank CEOs viewed Bitcoin and its cryptocurrency siblings as a threat.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It won't be surprising if the iPhone succeeds, but it would be understandable if it failed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would be understandable if" to introduce a situation where a particular reaction or behavior is justified, but avoid overusing it in close proximity within your writing to maintain variety.

Common error

Avoid using "it would be understandable if" to excuse or rationalize unethical or harmful behavior. Ensure that the action being justified has a reasonable basis in the given circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be understandable if" functions as a conditional clause introducer, setting up a scenario where a particular reaction, feeling, or action would be reasonable or justifiable. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase follows standard grammar rules and is widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it would be understandable if" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce scenarios where a specific reaction is justifiable. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is most commonly found in News & Media. The analysis indicates a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts. When employing this phrase, it's important to ensure that the situation genuinely warrants justification and that it isn't used to excuse inappropriate behavior. Alternatives like "it makes sense that" or "it is reasonable to expect that" can add variety to your writing while conveying a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it makes sense that

Presents the situation as logical and sensible.

it's perfectly logical that

Strengthens the reasoning by stating it's perfectly logical.

it is reasonable to expect that

Changes the construction to a more direct statement of reasonable expectation.

one might expect that

Introduces a sense of anticipation or expectation.

it's not surprising that

Focuses on the lack of surprise rather than the justification.

it's only natural that

Suggests that a certain reaction is inherent and to be expected.

one could easily see why

Emphasizes the ease with which the reason can be seen or understood.

it could be anticipated that

Implies a prediction or forecast of an event.

it's easy to imagine that

Shifts the focus to the ease of imagining a particular outcome.

it's conceivable that

Highlights the possibility or conceivability of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "it would be understandable if" in a sentence?

Use "it would be understandable if" to introduce a scenario where a particular reaction or feeling is justifiable, such as "It would be understandable if you felt frustrated after waiting for so long."

What are some alternatives to "it would be understandable if"?

You can use alternatives like "it makes sense that", "it is reasonable to expect that", or "it is not surprising that" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it would be understandable if"?

Yes, the phrase "it would be understandable if" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to express a justifiable reaction or behavior under certain conditions, as confirmed by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "it would be understandable if" and "it would be understandable that"?

"It would be understandable if" introduces a conditional clause, while "it would be understandable that" introduces a noun clause. The "if" version is more common and versatile for expressing justifiable reactions. The noun clause with "that" will likely sound awkward.