understands to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understands to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing someone's interpretation or perception of a situation, concept, or statement. Example: "She understands the project to be a collaborative effort that requires input from all team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"She's there to try to promote what she understands to be what the president wants," the former aide said.

The New York Times

The only factor weighing on the other side is personal ambition, which Macbeth understands to be a moral failing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He understands to be more creative about how to confront the battle, versus just clawing and fighting his way.

The New York Times - Sports

She was speaking expansively to characterize something that she understands to be a horrific practice," he said.

The Guardian

In a statement, Kids Company said it was "co-operating fully with the police to assist the investigation into what it understands to be historical but serious allegations".

Independent

The president and members of Congress may thus pay a political price for taking stands at odds with what the public understands to be their constitutional obligations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Celtic are understood to be one.

The Guardian - Sport

Concussions are understood to be especially damaging.

The Guardian - Sport

Buckingham Palace is understood to be supportive.

The Guardian

Jordan is understood to be demanding £1m.

The Guardian - Sport

Living is understood to be the exception.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "understands to be" when you want to express someone's subjective interpretation or assessment of a situation, fact, or concept, ensuring the context clearly indicates who holds that understanding.

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying who "understands" the concept; otherwise, the statement can become vague and open to misinterpretation. Make it clear whose understanding you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understands to be" functions as an infinitive phrase used to express someone's subjective interpretation, belief, or assessment of a situation or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes how a subject perceives something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "understands to be" is a versatile phrase used to express someone's interpretation or perception. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable in writing. It is frequently found in news and media, scientific articles, and encyclopedia entries. While useful, it is important to clearly indicate who is doing the understanding to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "perceives as" or "considers to be" depending on the context. Using this phrase effectively enhances clarity and provides a deeper insight into subjective viewpoints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perceives as

Emphasizes a sensory or intuitive grasp of something.

considers to be

Highlights a thoughtful evaluation or judgment.

believes to be

Focuses on a conviction or acceptance as true.

regards as

Suggests a specific opinion or estimation.

interprets as

Highlights the act of explaining or understanding the meaning of something.

views as

Indicates a particular perspective or way of seeing something.

takes to be

Implies an assumption or acceptance of something's nature.

deems to be

Suggests a formal judgment or assessment.

presumes to be

Focuses on an assumption made in the absence of complete information.

assumes to be

Implies taking something for granted without proof.

FAQs

How can I use "understands to be" in a sentence?

You can use "understands to be" to show someone's interpretation or perception of something. For example, "The expert understands this data to be indicative of a larger trend."

What are some alternatives to "understands to be"?

Alternatives include "perceives as", "considers to be", or "believes to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "understands to be" or "is understood to be"?

"Understands to be" emphasizes the actor who is doing the understanding, while "is understood to be" implies a general or collective understanding. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the individual's perspective or a broader consensus.

What is the difference between "understands to be" and "assumes to be"?

"Understands to be" suggests a level of comprehension or interpretation, whereas "assumes to be" implies taking something for granted without concrete evidence. The former is based on some level of analysis, while the latter is more of a presumption.