understood clearly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understood clearly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that a point was well-understood or clearly understood. For example: "After discussing the terms of the contract, we all understood clearly what the expectations were."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

James Stockdale was a hero and understood clearly what his job was and did it perfectly.

The New York Times

But no one understood clearly what he had said, as his voice was so inaudible.

The Guardian - Books

"We all understood clearly from my father what you had to give up with a public life," her brother said.

The New York Times

As an engaged Trustee of the Library for nearly five decades, Mrs. Astor understood clearly how vital the Library is to the people of our City.

The New York Times

We may find it difficult to construct sentences, to make ourselves understood clearly or engage with people other than those most familiar with us.

The Guardian

Later, as a university student, he read a novel that spoke of the Jeju events and finally understood clearly for the first time what his parents had meant.

The New York Times

"The Cypriot president understood clearly he faced the collapse of his banking system and disorderly exit from the euro area," said the official.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"He helped them to understand clearly what people were proposing".

The Guardian - Music

"I can understand clearly the disappointment if the fans are disappointed with the last week.

The Guardian - Sport

That the generals in Iraq must understand clearly there will be consequences for their behavior.

The New York Times

We do want our fans to understand clearly why we started a new policy.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "understood clearly" when you want to emphasize that a concept or instruction was not just understood, but deeply internalized and free of ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "understood clearly" in overly complex or convoluted sentences where simpler phrasing would improve clarity. Sometimes, a direct verb like "grasped" or "comprehended" is more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understood clearly" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It specifies the manner in which something was understood, emphasizing the absence of ambiguity. As Ludwig indicates, it highlights that the understanding was thorough and unambiguous.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "understood clearly" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize thorough and unambiguous comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage across various domains, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "fully grasped" or "perfectly understood" may offer subtle differences in emphasis, "understood clearly" serves as a reliable and widely accepted way to convey the completeness of understanding. Remember to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in overly complex sentences to maintain clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perfectly understood

Conveys that something is understood with no doubt or mistake.

well understood

Focuses on the general state of being understood.

fully grasped

Emphasizes complete comprehension.

clearly apprehended

Indicates an understanding that is free from confusion or ambiguity.

completely comprehended

Highlights thorough understanding.

definitely understood

Highlights the certainty of understanding.

plainly understood

Stresses the ease of understanding.

distinctly understood

Focuses on the clarity of understanding.

readily apprehended

Indicates quick and easy understanding.

unambiguously understood

Emphasizes the lack of confusion in understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "understood clearly" in a sentence?

You can use "understood clearly" to emphasize that something was not just understood, but deeply and unambiguously comprehended. For example, "After the explanation, the students "understood clearly" the concept".

What are some alternatives to "understood clearly"?

Some alternatives include "fully grasped", "completely comprehended", or "well understood", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "understood clearly"? Can't "understood" imply clarity?

While "understood" often implies clarity, adding "clearly" emphasizes the lack of ambiguity or confusion. It's not always redundant but use it when you want to be explicit. Use just "understood" or one of the other alternatives (like "perfectly understood") if you want to make your language more concise.

Which is more appropriate, "understood clearly" or "clearly understood"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Understood clearly" emphasizes the action of understanding, while "clearly understood" emphasizes the state of being understood. The choice depends on the desired focus, for example, you can say "the concept was "clearly understood"".