understood to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understood to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a common interpretation or assumption about something. Example: "The policy is understood to be effective immediately, although official confirmation is pending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 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

Both men are understood to deny wrongdoing.

The Guardian - Business

"I understood to shut up," she said.

The New York Times

Jordan is understood to be demanding £1m.

The Guardian - Sport

"I understood to an extent," she says.

The Guardian

Industry regulator Oftel is understood to support the plan.

The Guardian

The "we" I always understood to be "us", that is.

The Guardian

The vast majority are understood to be overwhelmingly negative.

The Guardian

Protection for sex workers was understood to have been dropped.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "understood to" when you want to convey that something is generally accepted or believed to be true, even if there's no definitive proof. It adds a sense of common knowledge or prevailing opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "understood to" when you need to express a definite fact. This phrase suggests a level of assumption rather than established knowledge. Use stronger language when certainty is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understood to" functions as a reporting verb construction, indicating that information is being conveyed based on a general understanding or assumption. Ludwig examples showcase its use in attributing beliefs or expectations without explicitly stating the source. It implies a level of shared knowledge or inference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "understood to" is a versatile tool for expressing information that is generally believed or assumed to be true, even without definitive proof. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. It's crucial to use "understood to" appropriately, recognizing its subtle difference from stating an absolute fact. Using alternatives such as "believed to" or "assumed to" can refine the intended meaning, ensuring clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believed to

Indicates a strong conviction or acceptance of something as true, often based on evidence or reason.

presumed to

Suggests acceptance of something as true in the absence of proof to the contrary.

assumed to

Implies taking something for granted without necessarily having evidence.

considered to

Indicates a formal evaluation or widespread opinion about something.

deemed to

Suggests a formal judgment or official assessment.

regarded as

Highlights how something is perceived or viewed by others.

known to

Emphasizes that something is generally recognized or acknowledged.

thought to

Indicates a personal belief or informal opinion.

reported to

Suggests that information comes from a specific source or report.

purported to

Implies that something is claimed to be true, but its veracity might be questionable.

FAQs

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

Use "understood to" to indicate that something is generally believed or assumed to be true, even if there's no concrete evidence. For example: "The new policy is "understood to be" effective immediately."

What are some alternatives to "understood to"?

You can use alternatives such as "believed to", "assumed to", or "considered to" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "understood to be" the same as "known to be"?

While similar, ""understood to be"" suggests a general acceptance or assumption, whereas "known to be" implies that something is a confirmed fact or widely recognized as true.

When should I avoid using "understood to"?

Avoid using "understood to" when expressing something you know to be definitively true. It's best used when conveying a generally held belief or assumption that may not be fully verified.