they understood that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they understood that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a group of people has comprehended a particular idea or piece of information. Example: "After the meeting, they understood that the project deadline had been moved up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They understood that true inclusion means some effort and work.

The New York Times

Once they met us they understood that were focused and had a vision for the business.

The Guardian

They understood that they were wrong and still voted to override the veto.

HuffPost

They understood that.

The New Yorker

They understood that we meant business.

The New Yorker

They understood that the world was evil.

The New Yorker

They understood that the plan was "workfare" only in name.

The New Yorker

They understood that Europe had not banished geopolitics.

The Economist

They understood that Turkey needed to be treated accordingly.

The New York Times

"They understood that that was good for the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I am not sure they understood that.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they understood that" to clearly convey that a group comprehended a concept or situation. Ensure the context provides enough information about who 'they' refers to and what 'they' understood.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun 'they' has a clear antecedent. Avoid using "they understood that" if it's unclear who 'they' are, as this can confuse the reader. Providing context to clearly describe the actors involved is helpful. Example: 'The scientists understood that the experiment had failed'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they understood that" functions as a clause connector, linking a subject ('they') with their comprehension of a following idea or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase indicating comprehension. It introduces a subordinate clause that explains the object of their understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they understood that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that expresses comprehension on the part of a group. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media, but can also be used in formal and scientific writing. The key is ensuring clarity in pronoun reference and selecting the most precise alternative, such as "they realized that" or "they grasped that", to capture the intended meaning. By avoiding ambiguity and utilizing best practices, writers can effectively employ this phrase to convey understanding and clarity in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they realized that

Synonymous, but emphasizes the moment of understanding or becoming aware.

they recognized that

Highlights the act of identifying or acknowledging something previously known or suspected.

they grasped that

Indicates a firm understanding, often after some initial confusion.

they perceived that

Suggests understanding through observation or intuition.

they became aware that

Focuses on the process of gaining knowledge or understanding.

they figured out that

Implies a problem-solving aspect to the understanding.

they concluded that

Indicates understanding as a result of reasoning or deduction.

it dawned on them that

Emphasizes a sudden or unexpected realization.

they had the impression that

Suggests a less certain or more subjective understanding.

they were of the opinion that

Highlights a considered judgment or belief based on understanding.

FAQs

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

Use "they understood that" to show that a group of people comprehended a situation or concept. For example: "After the explanation, "they understood that" the project was due sooner than expected."

What can I say instead of "they understood that"?

You can use alternatives like "they realized that", "they grasped that", or "they became aware that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "they understood that" or "they understood it"?

"They understood that" is typically followed by a clause explaining what was understood. "They understood it" is used when 'it' refers to something previously mentioned and clearly understood. Example: "We explained the problem, and "they understood it" immediately".

What's the difference between "they understood that" and "they assumed that"?

"They understood that" implies a correct comprehension of facts or a situation. "They assumed that" suggests a belief or supposition, which may or may not be accurate. Understanding is based on evidence, while assumption is based on a guess or belief.