that is well understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that is well understood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is clear or commonly accepted in a particular context. Example: "The concept of gravity is fundamental in physics, and that is well understood by students in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Well-being is not a thing that is well understood... Probably not more than half a dozen men in the last hundred years have been well.

The New Yorker

After opening the doors, state officials concluded, he fell into a deadly trap that is well understood within the elevator industry.

The New York Times

Mr. Cook's bold claim was based on something that is well understood in tech circles but is easily overlooked by consumers.

The New York Times

A friend, in his mid-20s, who currently works at the University of Michigan, put it this way in a Facebook message: There's a sort of sexualized hierarchy that is well understood among the different applications.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Quine's criterion (as he understood it) avoids this problem by focusing on the formal relation of logical entailment between sentences, a relation that is well understood.

SEP

Unlike newfangled drugs that turn out to have unexpected side effects like the heart risk problems that hobbled GlaxoSmithKline's Avandia insulin has a safety profile that is well understood.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

This narrow focus confines attention to options that are well understood and politically feasible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So far these have been made out of silicon, a material with properties that are well understood.

The Economist

"I hope we don't get to that, but it's an important option, and it's one that's well understood".

The New Yorker

But Mr. Pawlenty offered supportive language that was well understood by opponents of abortion and same-sex marriage, talking about "the sanctity of life" and "traditional marriages".

The New York Times

Will that make it a step ahead as a toy? "I'm sceptical about that," said Schafer, explaining that AI works well in specific domains that are well understood, such as medical diagnosis.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that is well understood" to clearly indicate that a concept or fact is widely known and accepted within a specific context or field. This helps establish common ground with your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "that is well understood" in overly casual or informal settings where simpler language would be more appropriate. For instance, saying "Everyone knows that" might be preferable in a casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is well understood" functions as a comment clause or a parenthetical remark. It signals to the audience that the information being presented is not new or contentious, but rather a generally accepted piece of knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that is well understood" is a versatile expression used to indicate that a concept or fact is commonly known and accepted. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions as a comment clause to establish common ground, primarily in neutral to formal contexts like news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While grammatically correct and frequently used, overuse in informal settings should be avoided. Alternatives like "widely recognized" or "common knowledge" can provide nuanced variations. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "that is well understood" to enhance clarity and build rapport with their audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a known quantity

Replaces "that is well understood" with an idiom emphasizing familiarity and predictability.

it's common knowledge

Indicates widespread awareness rather than just understanding.

it's generally accepted

Shifts the focus to broad agreement instead of comprehension.

it's widely recognized

Emphasizes broad acknowledgement rather than in-depth understanding.

it's clearly established

Highlights that something has been firmly proven or defined.

it is a given

Implies that something is a basic assumption and doesn't need explanation.

it's beyond dispute

Suggests that something is so well-established that it can't be argued.

it's a settled matter

Indicates the issue has been resolved and there is no more discussion.

the concept is clear

Focuses specifically on the clarity of the concept itself.

the matter is clear

Focuses specifically on the clarity of the matter itself.

FAQs

How can I use "that is well understood" in a sentence?

You can use "that is well understood" to indicate that a concept or practice is commonly known or accepted, for example: "The importance of regular exercise is well understood by healthcare professionals".

What are some alternatives to "that is well understood"?

Alternatives include "widely recognized", "generally accepted", or "common knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "that is well understood" or "that is easily understood"?

"That is well understood" implies that something is already known by many people, while "that is easily understood" means something is simple to comprehend. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize existing knowledge or ease of comprehension.

What's the difference between "that is well understood" and "it is well understood that"?

The phrase "that is well understood" refers to a specific concept, while "it is well understood that" introduces a general statement or fact. For example, "The principle of supply and demand is well understood" vs. "It is well understood that market fluctuations can impact investment strategies".