they were understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they were understanding' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone was sympathetic or patient with another person. For example, "The teacher was having difficulty explaining the lesson, but the students were understanding and willing to listen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"They were understanding on the six-month anniversary, and they'll understand if I don't come to school on Sept. 11," she said, "but they'll start to think I'm being ridiculous when the year-and-a-half anniversary arrives.

The New York Times

It was difficult and they were understanding, all of them.

Harvard Business Review

I spoke to the manager and the chief executive about it, and they were understanding enough.

Independent

What did they say to you about what they were understanding about why this happened?

The New York Times

This open-ended format pointed to how they were understanding and appropriating tables into their thinking about additive relations.

The Journal of Mathematical Behavior

"Yes, they were carrying the point of view of the Israeli side, but they were understanding also the other side, the Palestinian side," he said of President Obama's role.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In negotiations, they are understanding of quirks.

The Economist

They are understanding of his four marriages.

The New York Times - Sports

"They are understanding, and most of them are forgiving".

The New York Times

But while they are, understanding the implications is vital to the sector emerging stronger.

The Guardian

"They are understanding what the next level is all about," Klinsmann said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were understanding" to convey a sense of empathy and patience from a group of people towards another person or situation. Ensure that the context clearly indicates who 'they' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "they were understanding" when the context doesn't clearly define who 'they' are. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Always ensure the pronoun has a clear referent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were understanding" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a group of people possessed the quality of understanding or empathy in a specific situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were understanding" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that a group of individuals exhibited empathy, patience, or comprehension in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written English. While appropriate across various contexts, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific sources. When using the phrase, ensure that the pronoun 'they' has a clear referent to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "they showed understanding" or "they were empathetic" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to express. Remember, clarity and context are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they showed understanding

Replaces 'were' with 'showed', emphasizing the act of demonstrating understanding.

they were empathetic

Substitutes 'understanding' with 'empathetic', focusing on the emotional aspect of comprehension.

they were patient

Replaces 'understanding' with 'patient', highlighting the tolerance and forbearance shown.

they were considerate

Uses 'considerate' instead of 'understanding', stressing thoughtfulness and awareness of others' feelings.

they comprehended

Replaces the entire phrase with a single verb, 'comprehended', for a more concise expression.

they were receptive

Uses 'receptive' to suggest they were open and willing to understand.

they displayed compassion

Replaces 'understanding' with 'compassion', emphasizing a deeper level of empathy and concern.

they acknowledged my point of view

Focuses on the act of recognizing and accepting someone's perspective.

they took my feelings into account

Highlights the consideration given to one's emotions.

they were responsive to my needs

Emphasizes their willingness to address and understand specific requirements.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were understanding" to sound more formal?

In a more formal context, you could say "they demonstrated understanding", "they exhibited comprehension", or "they were receptive to the situation".

What does it mean when someone says "they were understanding"?

It means that a group of people showed empathy, patience, and a willingness to accept or comprehend a situation or another person's perspective.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "they were understanding"?

Use "they were understanding" when you want to highlight the positive attribute of a group of people showing empathy, patience, or comprehension in a particular situation. For example, when "providing support".

Are there situations where using "they were understanding" might be unclear?

Yes, if the referent of "they" is ambiguous. Ensure that the reader clearly knows who "they" refers to in the context. Otherwise, consider rephrasing for clarity like "the team was understanding".