understood about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'understood about' is not a standard phrase in English and therefore would not be considered correct in written English. If you are looking for a phrase that conveys the same meaning, you could use something like "understood regarding" or "understood regarding the matter of". For example, "The board had an understanding regarding the new policy" or "The team was briefed and understood about the new rules".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I think he understood about plums.

The New Yorker

We understood about knuckle-scabbing and traffic.

The New Yorker

If anyone understood about putting family first, it was him".

The New York Times - Sports

That's the last thing I remotely understood about his world.

The New York Times

But I always understood about the ducks in Central Park.

The New York Times

"She naturally understood about consistency, which is so important".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Little is understood about the impact this can have.

The Guardian

"The first thing I understood about Tomas was his love for Tereza," says Day-Lewis.

The New Yorker

"Here is a case where her old man understood about clinical trials," Rowe said.

The New Yorker

It lasted over two hours, and I understood about two thirds.

The New Yorker

Almost the first thing I learned about New Orleans was how little I understood about Katrina.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "understood about" with more grammatically correct alternatives such as "understood regarding" or "knew about" to improve clarity and maintain a professional tone in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "about" as a preposition directly after "understood". Instead, opt for prepositions like "regarding", "concerning", or rephrase the sentence to use a verb like "knew" followed by "about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understood about" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to link the act of understanding with a specific subject. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "understood about" appears frequently in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It attempts to convey comprehension regarding a specific topic but is best replaced by grammatically sound alternatives like "understood regarding" or "knew about" to maintain clarity and professionalism. Despite its common usage, particularly in news and media as well as scientific contexts, adopting more precise language enhances the quality and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understood regarding

Focuses on the topic or matter being understood, offering a more formal and grammatically sound alternative.

understood concerning

Similar to "understood regarding", this alternative highlights the subject of comprehension with a slightly more formal tone.

knew about

Emphasizes prior knowledge or awareness, rather than the act of understanding itself.

were aware of

Highlights awareness of a situation or fact, shifting the focus from comprehension to recognition.

had knowledge of

Focuses on possessing information or understanding, often implying a deeper level of comprehension.

grasped the concept of

Highlights the act of comprehending an idea or principle, rather than a specific fact.

comprehended the matter of

A more formal alternative, emphasizing complete understanding of a specific issue.

were cognizant of

Implies a formal and intellectual awareness of something, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

realized the importance of

Focuses on understanding the significance or value of something, rather than the thing itself.

appreciated the complexity of

Highlights the comprehension of intricate details or nuances, rather than a simple understanding.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "understood about"?

Alternatives such as "understood regarding" or "knew about" are grammatically sound and can replace "understood about".

When is it appropriate to use "understood about" in writing?

While frequently found, "understood about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to avoid it in formal writing and opt for more precise alternatives.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "understood about" to be more clear?

Consider rephrasing the sentence to use verbs like "comprehended", "grasped", or "knew" to express understanding, adjusting the preposition accordingly. For example, use "knew about" instead of "understood about".

What's the difference between "understood about" and "understood regarding"?

"Understood about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Understood regarding" is a more formal and grammatically correct way to express understanding with respect to a specific topic or matter.