to become understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to become understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of something or someone gaining clarity or comprehension over time. Example: "Through careful explanation and examples, the complex theory began to become understood by the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Supposing an "alienish" speaking human wished to explain the whole concept of sexual reproduction to a homogenous sentient ocean, would there be any chance for the human to become understood?" says Kultys.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Since then, BRAF mutations, alone, have become understood to be "insufficient" to induce tumor progression beyond the benign melanocytic nevus stage [ 5].

Clinical Epigenetics

Burton has often tried to ensure the misunderstood became understood.

Huffington Post

Civil servants are paid to become experts, to understand the policy minutiae like a cell under a microscope.

The Guardian

The FGDs text was read several times to allow the research team to become familiar with and understand the material.

Global Health Action

Meditation does teach you how to become less reactive and understand the power of this moment.

Huffington Post

Most of all, however, biomarkers must be easy to use and understand to become tools the practicing physician can implement daily.

Disease Markers

Bear in mind that it may take several months or years training for an ultrasound technician to become expert and to understand the process well.

WikiHow

I was determined to become an engineer before I understood what that really meant.

Huffington Post

The molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of adventitious roots to become SRs are, however, poorly understood.

BMC Genomics

It is one thing to know what it is to become pregnant, and another to understand what that means.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to become understood" when emphasizing the gradual process of something becoming clear or comprehensible over time. For example, "The complex scientific theory began "to become understood" after years of research."

Common error

Avoid using "to become understood" when a more direct, active voice would be clearer. For instance, instead of "The author's intention needs "to become understood"", try "Readers must understand the author's intention."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to become understood" functions as an infinitive phrase that often serves as an adverbial modifier expressing purpose. It indicates the aim or intention behind an action, as seen in Ludwig's examples, where something needs to progress towards being comprehended.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

59%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to become understood" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the process by which something gains clarity or comprehension. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in English. While it may not be as frequent as some alternatives like "to gain understanding" or "to be comprehended", it holds its place in various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. The key is to use it when you want to emphasize the gradual transition from obscurity to clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to gain understanding

Replaces "become" with "gain", emphasizing the active process of acquiring understanding.

to achieve understanding

Similar to "gain understanding", highlighting the successful attainment of understanding.

to be comprehended

Uses a passive construction, focusing on the object being understood rather than the process.

to arrive at understanding

Implies a journey or process that leads to understanding.

to develop an understanding

Focuses on the creation and formation of understanding.

to grow in understanding

Suggests a gradual and incremental increase in comprehension.

to elucidate

A more formal synonym for clarifying, often used in academic or technical contexts.

to reach a consensus

Implies that understanding is achieved among multiple parties.

to clarify

A more concise verb emphasizing the act of making something understandable.

to decode

Implies the process of unraveling a complex message to grasp its meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "to become understood" in a sentence?

Use "to become understood" when describing a process where something gradually gains clarity or acceptance. For example: "The nuances of the new policy gradually "to become understood" by the employees".

What are some alternatives to "to become understood"?

You can use phrases like "to gain understanding", "to be comprehended", or "to achieve understanding" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "to be understood" or "to become understood"?

"To be understood" describes a state of being, whereas ""to become understood"" describes a process. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning. For example: "The message needs to be understood" versus "The message gradually "to become understood" as more information was provided."

What's the difference between "to understand" and "to become understood"?

"To understand" refers to the act of comprehending, while ""to become understood"" describes the process by which something transitions from being unclear to being comprehended. The latter emphasizes the journey toward understanding.