understand to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understand to" is not grammatically correct and therefore not usable in written English.
The phrase "understand" or "understand how" is more correct. For example: "I understand how to solve the problem."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You're using one thing you don't understand to explain another.

The Guardian

Just, you will understand, to make sure it collects interest.

The Guardian - Money

They understand, to a degree, and they will not denounce him.

The New York Times

It's difficult to understand, to concede a corner when it doesn't go off the goalkeeper.

Independent

"E-mail is one of the few things that people understand to be private".

The New York Times - Tech

"We have to understand to space the floor and take better care of the ball".

The New York Times - Sports

The characters struggle to listen to each other, to understand, to be fair.

The New Yorker

To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love with all my soul.

The New York Times

The next two weeks are crucial, they understand, to slow Mitt Romney's sense of inevitability.

The New York Times

She was entrusted on a long loan, or so we understand, to Rebekah Brooks in 2008.

Independent

They "contradict everything that I understand to be a trusting co-operation between friendly partners".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "understand to" with just "understand" or "understand how to" depending on the intended meaning. The simpler phrasing avoids grammatical errors and maintains clarity.

Common error

Avoid inserting "to" unnecessarily after "understand". This often leads to grammatically awkward sentences. Instead, focus on using a direct and concise construction, such as "I understand the concept" rather than "I understand to the concept".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understand to" functions as an attempt to express comprehension or knowledge, but it is grammatically flawed. According to Ludwig AI, the correct usage would involve simply using "understand" or "understand how to" depending on the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "understand to" appears with relative frequency across various sources, but is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using simply "understand" or "understand how to" to convey comprehension more effectively. While "understand to" is found in diverse contexts like News and Media, and Science, it's best to avoid this construction in formal writing and aim for clearer alternatives like "come to understand" or "gain an understanding of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand

Focuses on general comprehension without the unnecessary "to".

understand how to

Specifies understanding the method or process of doing something.

come to understand

Highlights the process of gradually gaining understanding.

begin to understand

Emphasizes the initial stage of gaining comprehension.

learn to understand

Indicates the act of learning as a means to achieve understanding.

grow to understand

Suggests that understanding develops over time.

gain an understanding of

Formal way of saying to acquire knowledge in a specific subject.

develop an understanding of

Focuses on the progressive development of understanding.

reach an understanding

Emphasizes an agreement or a consensus.

grasp

Highlights the ability to seize an idea.

FAQs

How can I properly use the word "understand" in a sentence?

Use "understand" followed by a noun phrase (e.g., "I understand the problem"), or use "understand how to" followed by a verb (e.g., "I understand how to fix it"). Avoid adding an unnecessary "to" after "understand".

What are some common synonyms for "understand"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "comprehend", "grasp", "perceive", or "recognize". Each of these words carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Is it ever correct to say "understand to"?

In modern standard English, "understand to" is generally considered incorrect. Instead, use "understand" or rephrase the sentence for clarity. For example, instead of "I understand to believe...", say "I understand that I should believe...".

What's the difference between using "understand" and alternatives like "comprehend" or "grasp"?

"Understand" is a general term for knowing something. "Comprehend" implies a more thorough and complete understanding, while "grasp" suggests quickly seizing an idea or concept.