seems understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems understandable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be clear or comprehensible to you. Example: "After reviewing the instructions, it seems understandable how to complete the task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Facing challenges with respect to understanding domain-specific primitives seems understandable in the wake of new domain knowledge and related domain knowledge challenges.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

But the confusion seems understandable.

The New York Times

In some ways, this seems understandable, even obvious.

University of California, Berkeley

And "their" wish to silence him seems understandable.

The Economist

It seems understandable; a little funny; and very human.

The New York Times - Magazine

Months later, in the context of that night, it all seems understandable.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Both would seem understandable.

The Guardian - Opinion

All these reactions seem understandable.

The New York Times - Arts

Camby's struggle seemed understandable.

The New York Times - Sports

The passive response seemed understandable.

The New Yorker

This certainly makes Muslim rage seem understandable, even justified.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems understandable" to express a clear, moderate level of comprehension or acceptability without strong endorsement. It's useful when acknowledging a perspective or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "seems understandable" as a substitute for deeper analysis or critical evaluation. While it acknowledges a point, it doesn't provide insight or support your argument. Follow it up with explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems understandable" functions primarily as a qualifying expression. It indicates a moderate level of comprehension or acceptance, suggesting that something is reasonably clear or justifiable. As shown by Ludwig AI, its usage implies a measured assessment rather than strong endorsement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seems understandable" is a versatile expression used to convey a moderate level of comprehension or acceptability. As shown by Ludwig AI, it functions as a qualifying statement, acknowledging that something is reasonably clear or justifiable without necessarily implying full agreement or endorsement. It is commonly used in "news & media", "academia", and "science" contexts. When writing, remember to use "seems understandable" to introduce measured assessment rather than solid conclusions. Also, consider that there are more formal alternatives like "appears comprehensible" and "is reasonably clear" when aiming for a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears comprehensible

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "understandable" with "comprehensible", maintaining the meaning but with a slightly more formal tone.

makes perfect sense

Indicates that something is completely logical or acceptable.

is reasonably clear

Uses "is" instead of "seems" and "reasonably clear" in place of "understandable", indicating a moderate level of clarity.

is fairly logical

Substitutes "understandable" with "logical", focusing on the rational aspect of the concept.

is quite reasonable

Replaces "understandable" with "reasonable", suggesting that something aligns with reason or good sense.

is readily apparent

Emphasizes the easiness with which something is understood or noticed.

is easily grasped

Focuses on the simplicity of understanding something.

is not difficult to follow

Highlights the ease of comprehension in a more descriptive manner.

is not hard to believe

Shifts the focus to the believability of a statement or situation.

is within reason

Indicates that something falls within acceptable limits or expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "seems understandable" in a sentence?

You can use "seems understandable" to express that something is comprehensible or reasonable. For instance, "Given the circumstances, their decision "seems understandable"".

What's a more formal way to say "seems understandable"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "appears comprehensible" or "is reasonably clear" to convey a similar meaning while maintaining professionalism.

Which is correct, "seem understandable" or "seems understandable"?

"Seems understandable" is correct when referring to a singular subject. "Seem understandable" is appropriate for plural subjects or when used with modal verbs (e.g., "they seem understandable").

What can I say instead of "seems understandable" to imply stronger agreement?

To imply stronger agreement, use phrases like "makes perfect sense" or "is entirely justified" instead of the more neutral ""seems understandable"".