they have understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they have understood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a group of people has comprehended or grasped a concept or information. Example: "After the presentation, I was pleased to see that they have understood the main points clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is as if they have understood something.

The New Yorker

"They have understood our business model and our potential.

The Guardian - Business

In three months they have understood there is very little they can change".

The Guardian

What they have understood is that space in music is all about longing.

The Guardian - Music

"At last they have understood the dignity of Indian contemporary art," Mr. Husain, said, according to The Times of India.

The New York Times - Arts

Once you have explained a task, ask the person to relay back to you what they have understood".

The Guardian - Money

They have understood the needs of the community and I am very pleased they voted against it".

The Guardian

What they have understood is the market has changed completely and in the era of consolidation producers are truly international.

The Guardian

How could they have understood it fifteen years ago?" The therapist met with the family, then with Hicks.

The New Yorker

How might they have understood it better, or maybe differently, to people in different countries, and since?

The Guardian - Books

Humans cling to early experiences and what they have understood, even when something different is directly in front of them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they have understood" to clearly indicate that a group of people has successfully grasped a concept or situation. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about what they have understood for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they have understood" without clearly specifying what the group has understood. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Provide necessary context to ensure clear communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have understood" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a group of people has achieved comprehension of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. The examples show its deployment in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they have understood" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express that a group has successfully comprehended something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s fully correct, the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. To improve clarity, ensure the context specifies what "they" have understood. While alternatives like ""they have grasped"" or ""they have realized"" exist, "they have understood" remains a clear and widely accepted choice for conveying comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they have grasped

Replaces "understood" with "grasped", implying a firm understanding.

they have comprehended

Substitutes "understood" with "comprehended", indicating a thorough understanding.

they have realized

Focuses on the moment of understanding or becoming aware.

they have perceived

Implies an understanding gained through observation or intuition.

they have discerned

Suggests an understanding reached through careful observation and analysis.

they are aware

Highlights the state of being conscious or informed.

they have become conscious of

Emphasizes the process of becoming aware of something.

they have taken in

Indicates the absorption and comprehension of information.

it has dawned on them

Implies a sudden realization or understanding.

they have a handle on

Conveys that they have control over and understanding of a situation or subject.

FAQs

How can I use "they have understood" in a sentence?

Use "they have understood" to show that a group has grasped an idea. For example: "After the explanation, it was clear "they have understood" the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "they have understood"?

Alternatives include "they have grasped", "they have comprehended", or "they have realized", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "they had understood" instead of "they have understood"?

"They had understood" is used to indicate that the understanding occurred before a specific point in the past, while ""they have understood"" indicates understanding up to the present. Choose the tense based on the timeline of events.

What's the difference between "they understood" and "they have understood"?

"They understood" is simple past tense, indicating understanding at a specific time in the past. "They have understood" is present perfect, suggesting the understanding is relevant to the present or has ongoing implications.