understood to contain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understood to contain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the perceived or assumed contents of something, often in legal, academic, or analytical contexts. Example: "The document is understood to contain sensitive information that requires careful handling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Arnautovic's new deal is a one-year extension, until 2023, and is understood to contain performance-related incentives.

The Guardian - Sport

Solyanka is generally understood to contain cabbage and maybe some meat, but even that's in dispute: Is the cabbage soured in brine, or braised?

The New Yorker

They want the mechanics to be pinned down by a particular set of equations that can be understood to contain the entirety of the book's argument.

The Economist

Greenpeace and Request Initiative, a Freedom of Information Act specialist, has been trying since 2014 to obtain the contents of seven documents that are understood to contain further details about the subsidies for Hinkley.

The Guardian

By sending emails he understood to contain material untruths, Lorenzo "employ[ed]" a "device," "scheme," and "artifice to defraud" within the meaning of subsection (a) of the Rule, §10(b), and §17(a)(1).

Cornell University

By sending e-mails he understood to contain material untruths, Lorenzo "employ[ed]" a "device," "scheme," and "artifice to defraud" within the meaning of subsection (a) of the Rule, §10(b), and §17(a)(1).

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The NUJ's evidence to the inquiry is understood to have contained multiple accusations of bullying against a single senior executive, who was named in a collective complaint by more than 20 people.

The Guardian

Experts say frozen foods are now more commonly understood to not necessarily contain added salts or sugars and can find their place from breakfast to dessert.

The Washington Post

The report is understood not to contain a forecast of immigration levels.

BBC

Advertisements should be understood to include affirmations contained on the website or social media pages linked to the trader.

European Parliament

Conditionals were understood to be non-simple propositions containing one proposition as antecedent and one as consequent.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "understood to contain", ensure that the context clearly implies who holds this understanding. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "understood to contain" when there is concrete evidence of the contents. Use stronger verbs like "demonstrates" or "includes" when the contents are definitively known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understood to contain" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a prevailing belief, assumption, or interpretation about the contents of something. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in describing documents, agreements, or even abstract concepts like laws.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "understood to contain" serves to indicate a common understanding or assumption about the constituents of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, while analysis reveals a neutral to formal register and usage across various domains, including news, academia, and science. Although uncommon, its use is appropriate when conveying an interpretation rather than a definitively proven fact. Alternatives like "presumed to include" or "believed to encompass" can be used to fine-tune the specific nuance you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presumed to include

Replaces "understood" with "presumed", suggesting a belief based on probability rather than direct knowledge.

believed to encompass

Substitutes "understood" with "believed" and "contain" with "encompass", indicating a more encompassing inclusion.

thought to incorporate

Uses "thought" instead of "understood" and "incorporate" instead of "contain", implying a degree of integration.

assumed to hold

Replaces "understood" with "assumed" and "contain" with "hold", indicating an expectation of what is included.

taken to comprise

Uses "taken" instead of "understood" and "comprise" instead of "contain", suggesting a composition or constitution.

deemed to harbor

Substitutes "understood" with "deemed" and "contain" with "harbor", implying the potential for hidden or latent contents.

considered to embody

Replaces "understood" with "considered" and "contain" with "embody", indicating a representation of something abstract.

regarded as including

Uses "regarded" instead of "understood" and "including" instead of "contain", emphasizing the perception of inclusion.

inferred to possess

Substitutes "understood" with "inferred" and "contain" with "possess", suggesting a conclusion based on evidence.

construed as having

Replaces "understood" with "construed" and "contain" with "having", emphasizing an interpretation or explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "understood to contain" to describe the implied contents of something, as in "The agreement is "understood to contain" a confidentiality clause".

What are some alternatives to "understood to contain"?

Alternatives include "presumed to include", "believed to encompass", or "assumed to hold", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "understood to contain" or "known to contain"?

"Understood to contain" implies an assumption or interpretation, while "known to contain" indicates confirmed knowledge. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of certainty about the contents.

What's the difference between "understood to contain" and "expected to contain"?

"Understood to contain" suggests a pre-existing belief or interpretation, while "expected to contain" implies an anticipation or prediction about future contents.