understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

"understandable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that can be easily understood or that someone is able to comprehend. Example sentence: "The professor's explanation was very clear and understandable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This rush to work out how our new understanding should be used to influence behaviour is understandable, but the furore is masking the more fundamental implications it has for how we understand human behaviour.

The Guardian

This is understandable.

The New York Times - Arts

It's an understandable reaction.

The Guardian

By the age of 20, Schiele was being recognised as the heir to Klimt and indeed Klimt's early influence on Schiele's graphic style is very obvious and understandable.

The Guardian - Arts

Such reticence is understandable in a city where many residents assume that officials use construction projects to siphon state funds.

The Guardian

On this occasion a little boldness was understandable.

The Guardian - Sport

The draw was totally understandable in the circumstances".

The Guardian - Sport

For understandable reasons, the press has largely spun this as the latest episode in the downfall of Tesco.

The Guardian - Opinion

When ministers receive an invitation to appear on a new, live, satirical comedy show on Channel 4, it's understandable if alarm bells start ringing.

The Guardian

The phrase is best avoided, given its (understandable) unpopularity in the Irish Republic.

The Guardian

Sadio Mané's delight was as clear as it was understandable after setting Southampton on course for a memorable victory with the fastest Premier League hat-trick in history.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "understandable" to convey that something can be easily grasped or that a reaction is reasonable given the circumstances.

Common error

While "understandable" is versatile, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Consider synonyms like "comprehensible" or "explicable" to add nuance and sophistication to your language.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "understandable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing something that is capable of being understood. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable adjective in many contexts. For example, "It's an understandable reaction."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Sport

8%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "understandable" functions as an adjective, denoting something easily grasped or a reaction deemed reasonable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse writing contexts. As a neutral term, it frequently appears in News & Media, Sport and Opinion. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "comprehensible" or "explicable" for enhanced precision. A practical tip is to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning, whether conveying clarity or justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehensible

Focuses on the ability to be understood, highlighting clarity and ease of comprehension.

intelligible

Emphasizes the quality of being clear and coherent, making it easy to grasp the meaning.

explicable

Highlights the capacity to be explained or justified, often implying a reason or cause is available.

justifiable

Suggests that there is a valid reason or excuse for something, making it reasonable or acceptable.

defensible

Implies that something can be supported or defended with arguments or evidence.

acceptable

Indicates that something is permissible or satisfactory, though not necessarily ideal.

reasonable

Focuses on being logical and fair, suggesting that something is in accordance with reason.

permissible

Highlights the allowance or authorization of something, indicating it is not forbidden.

comprehendible

Rare variation of comprehendible that focuses on the ability to be understood.

graspable

Focuses on the ability to be easily understood or seized mentally.

FAQs

How can I use "understandable" in a sentence?

You can use "understandable" to describe something that is easy to comprehend or to justify a particular behavior or feeling. For example, "The instructions were written in a clear and understandable manner" or "His frustration is understandable given the circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "understandable"?

Depending on the context, you could use "comprehensible", "intelligible", "explicable", or "justifiable" as alternatives to "understandable".

Is it correct to say "understandable mistake"?

Yes, "understandable mistake" is a common and grammatically correct phrase. It suggests that the mistake is easily explained or justified due to the circumstances.

What's the difference between "understandable" and "comprehensible"?

"Understandable" often implies that something is not only able to be understood but also reasonable or justifiable. "Comprehensible" ("comprehensible") primarily focuses on the ability to be understood clearly.