mutually understand

USAGE SUMMARY

"mutually understand" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase typically means that two people agree on something or fully grasp one another's perspective. For example, "We need to take the time to talk things through and mutually understand one another's point of view."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Friends, after all, are supposed to mutually help each other, mutually understand each other.

The New York Times

Municipalities and their partners require a supporting information infrastructure that supports a broad range of urban stakeholders to mutually understand and reinforce geophysical communities within urban neighbourhoods and localities (Doheny-Farina 1996).

Visualization in Engineering

When your team is 3-7, why NOT make play calls like that?! I'm glad we mutually understand what it takes to win games.

Huffington Post

This design of current social media platforms is making people less keen to have conversations that mutually understand each other, and more keen to broadcast opinions that mainly appeal to those who agree with them.

Huffington Post

Furthermore, many participants mentioned their male partner not feeling this conflicted regardless of which partner was responsible for the infertility issue, which lead to their inability to mutually understand the psychological burden.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Books

The mutually understood evasion, "Let's have lunch," often morphed into "Let's really have lunch".

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

Applicants and examiners employed a mutually understood pretense that machinery was still involved.

The New York Times - Magazine

Spoken Tibetan has developed a pattern of regional dialects and subdialects, which can be mutually understood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All but one of the characters appear to be engaging in, and submitting to, bizarre rituals that derive from some mutually understood criminal code or religious system.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for collaboration, ensure all parties actively listen and clarify points to achieve a true "mutually understand" of goals and processes.

Common error

Avoid assuming that silence or superficial agreement equates to a "mutually understand". Always confirm comprehension through open questions and active feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mutually understand" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate in a sentence. It expresses the action of two or more parties achieving a shared comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mutually understand" is a grammatically sound verb phrase signifying a shared comprehension between parties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly usable and correct in written English. Though its frequency is rare, it appears across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. To enhance writing clarity, consider it within contexts requiring collaboration, but always ensure this understanding is actively verified rather than assumed. Related phrases such as "share an understanding" or "agree on a common interpretation" can provide nuance based on the specific message you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehend each other

Directly addresses the act of understanding from both perspectives.

share an understanding

Emphasizes the shared aspect of comprehension, suggesting a common ground.

have a shared perspective

Highlights the common viewpoint achieved.

agree on a common interpretation

Highlights the alignment of interpretations between parties.

reach a mutual agreement

Focuses on the outcome of understanding, leading to an agreement.

see eye to eye

A more idiomatic expression indicating complete agreement.

find common ground

Indicates a process of discovering shared understanding.

have a consensus

Focuses on reaching a general agreement after discussion.

be on the same wavelength

Suggests an intuitive understanding without explicit communication.

build rapport

Focuses on establishing a harmonious relationship based on understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "mutually understand" in a sentence?

You can use "mutually understand" to describe a situation where two or more parties have reached a shared comprehension, such as, "It's crucial that we "mutually understand" each other's expectations before starting the project."

What phrases can I use instead of "mutually understand"?

Alternatives to "mutually understand" include "share an understanding", "agree on a common interpretation", or "see eye to eye", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "mutually understand each other"?

While the "each other" can be implied, including it emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the understanding. Using just "mutually understand" is grammatically sound, the addition clarifies the bi-directional comprehension.

What's the difference between "mutually understand" and "agree"?

"Mutually understand" implies a shared comprehension of facts or perspectives, while "agree" suggests a consensus on a course of action or opinion. You can "mutually understand" someone's position without necessarily agreeing with it.