shall be understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shall be understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal or legal contexts to indicate that something should be interpreted or comprehended in a specific way. Example: "For the purposes of this agreement, the term 'party' shall be understood to include both individuals and organizations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

John Sutherland Buy this book at the Guardian bookshop "I shall be understood in 1880," said Stendhal — ie around half a century after he published this, his most renowned novel.

The Guardian - Books

Smith's letter is recommended to anybody considering a literary fight: "Laugh at yourself, and I shall pawn my life that before three weeks are at an end, this little affair, which at present gives you so much uneasiness, shall be understood to do you as much honor as anything that has ever happened to you".

The Guardian - Books

3D video shall be understood as the functionality that provides the user with a 3D depth impression of the observed scene, which is also known as stereo video.

Pattern Recognition

Demmer and Gaenszle stated that "rite creates an arena of discourse ('discourse' shall be understood as linguistic performance in interaction), in which various verbal strategies are used to change social relationship, moral problems and people's opinion on social cultural reality".

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Stakeholders defend what they believe is the proper way of delivering health care, and their opposition shall not be understood only as rational rent seeking [ 6].

BMC Health Services Research

We shall concentrate here on aspects of this logic that can be understood without going deeply into formal details.

SEP

As we shall see in Section 3, alternative theories of scientific progress can be understood as specifications of such epistemic utilities.

SEP

The problem can best be understood in terms of different time scales, a perspective we shall emphasise throughout this paper.

Biology and Philosophy

Instead, we shall look at the positions of Heidegger and Sartre, who provide opposing examples of how an authentic relation to history and politics can be understood.

SEP

Long-term observations shall be conducted to understand the response of phytoplankton to ARs.

Advances in Space Research

Functional analysis of the candidate genes of the specialized metabolic pathways shall be useful to understand the molecular and biochemical basis for the accumulation of medicinally active specialized metabolites in kalmegh.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, use "shall be understood" to ensure clarity and prevent misinterpretation of specific terms or concepts. This is especially useful in legal, technical, or academic contexts where precision is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "shall be understood" in casual or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal and stilted. Simpler alternatives like "is meant to be" or "should be taken as" are often more appropriate in these settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall be understood" functions as a directive passive construction, typically used to establish a specific interpretation or definition within a given context. Ludwig examples confirm its role in formal settings to ensure clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shall be understood" is a formal phrase used to dictate how a term or concept should be interpreted. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and highlights its prevalence in legal and academic settings. While effective for ensuring precision in formal writing, it can sound stilted in informal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "should be interpreted" or "is meant to be" in less formal situations. While authoritative sources use this expression, it remains a relatively infrequent construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be interpreted

Replaces "shall" with "should", softening the obligation but maintaining the meaning of interpretation.

is to be construed

Uses "construed" instead of "understood", emphasizing a formal or legal interpretation.

is to be taken as

Offers a more direct substitution, focusing on how something should be perceived.

must be comprehended

Replaces "understood" with "comprehended" and "shall" with "must", strengthening the sense of necessity.

is to be appreciated

Focuses on the need for understanding something's value or significance.

should be perceived

Emphasizes the manner in which something ought to be viewed or noticed.

is intended to mean

Highlights the intended meaning behind a statement or concept.

is meant to signify

Focuses on the symbolic or representative aspect of the understanding.

is to be deciphered

Suggests that understanding requires careful analysis or decoding.

is to be gathered

Suggests that understanding is achieved through inference or deduction.

FAQs

How can I use "shall be understood" in a sentence?

Use "shall be understood" to define or clarify a term or concept, especially in legal or formal contexts. For example, "In this contract, 'services' shall be understood to include consulting and training."

What are some alternatives to "shall be understood"?

You can use alternatives like "should be interpreted", "is to be construed", or "is to be taken as" depending on the context.

Is "shall be understood" too formal for everyday writing?

Yes, "shall be understood" is quite formal. In everyday writing, consider using phrases like "is meant to be", "should be", or "means" instead.

What's the difference between "shall be understood" and "is understood"?

"Shall be understood" implies a directive or requirement for how something should be interpreted, whereas "is understood" simply states a current understanding. "Shall" adds a layer of obligation or future intent.