ordinarily understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinarily understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is generally accepted or comprehended by most people in a typical context. Example: "The term 'freedom of speech' is ordinarily understood to mean the right to express one's opinions without censorship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But the law is ordinarily understood as a system of neutral principles consistently applied.

The New York Times

Data transmitted over an unencrypted Wi-Fi link, it concluded, is not "readily accessible to the general public", as the terminology is ordinarily understood.

The Economist

Miranda was held for nine hours under schedule 7 of the UK's terror laws, which give enormous discretion to stop, search and question people who have no connection with "terror", as ordinarily understood.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Stoics (philosophers of nature and morality) opted for a form of naturalistic monotheism, whereas the philosopher Epicurus (341 270 bce) was skeptical of religion as ordinarily understood and practiced, though he did not deny that there were gods who, however, had no transactions with human beings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So pains, as ordinarily understood, do not exist.

SEP

So pains are not, after all, located in body parts, ordinarily understood.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

[2] In an influential article, Joshua Greene and Jonathan Cohen, similarly conclude, "Free will, as we ordinarily understand it, is an illusion".

The New York Times

They reach this conclusion in part by assuming that people ordinarily understand free will and responsibility to require dualism (i.e., a non-physical soul) and libertarianism (i.e., powers to cause decisions without being caused to do so).

The New York Times

But citizens do not ordinarily understand things this way; to most people, more debt is more debt, regardless of whether it's held by government or the private sector, and it scares them.It would take a lot of political effort and expertise to shift these attitudes, for American or European voters, and for the most part the political parties aren't trying to do that.

The Economist

Folkbiology is the interdisciplinary perspective on how people ordinarily understand the biological world (Medin and Atran 1999).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

First, one could still follow Hudson and argue that even if we ordinarily understand counting sentences this way, we do still know how to count by identity.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ordinarily understood" when you want to emphasize a common, generally accepted interpretation of a term or concept. It's particularly useful in legal, philosophical, or technical contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "ordinarily understood" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "usually" or "commonly" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinarily understood" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a passive verb. It indicates how something is commonly or generally interpreted, providing context for the meaning of a term or concept. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples of its use in clarifying definitions and interpretations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ordinarily understood" is a useful tool for clarifying common interpretations, particularly in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. While acceptable, overuse in informal settings should be avoided in favor of simpler alternatives. By understanding its proper usage and context, writers can effectively convey precise meanings and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the usual sense

Emphasizes understanding something in its normal or customary meaning.

typically interpreted

Highlights the standard way of interpreting something.

commonly perceived

Focuses on typical perception rather than explicit understanding.

generally accepted

Emphasizes widespread agreement, not just comprehension.

usually conceived

Refers to the common conception or mental picture.

by common consent

Highlights agreement in understanding rather than individual interpretation.

conventionally viewed

Stresses the traditional or established perspective.

as a rule understood

Highlights understanding as a general rule or pattern.

in common parlance

Refers to how something is understood in everyday language.

in layman's terms

Focuses on understanding something simply and accessibly.

FAQs

How can I use "ordinarily understood" in a sentence?

You can use "ordinarily understood" to clarify the common interpretation of a term or concept. For example, "The term 'due diligence' is "ordinarily understood" to mean conducting thorough research before making a business decision".

What are some alternatives to "ordinarily understood"?

You can use alternatives such as "commonly perceived", "generally accepted", or "typically interpreted" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "ordinarily understood" or "commonly understood"?

Both "ordinarily understood" and "commonly understood" are correct, but "ordinarily understood" implies a slightly more formal and established interpretation, while "commonly understood" emphasizes widespread knowledge.

What is the difference between "ordinarily understood" and "literally understood"?

"Ordinarily understood" refers to the common interpretation, while "literally understood" refers to the strict, dictionary definition. For example, a phrase might be "ordinarily understood" as a metaphor, but if "literally understood", it would be nonsensical.