was made to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

"was made to understand" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone was made aware of or informed of something, either through a conversation or other means. For example, "I was made to understand that the deadline for this project was Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Or so I was made to understand.

The New York Times

Cole Cole analysis was made to understand the phase behaviour of the composite samples.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Furthermore, comparison was made to understand the effects of loading modes (mode I and II) on delamination migration.

Composite Structures

During the study, special effort was made to understand both mechanistic and mechanical behavior on the nucleation and subsequent crack propagation process.

International Journal of Fatigue

Polyurea coated concrete tiles were subjected to controlled blast loadings, and an attempt was made to understand the mechanism responsible for the improved blast survivability.

Construction and Building Materials

A comparison between injection molding experiments and simulations was made to understand the dependence of the estimated and experimental feedstock properties in predicting mold filling behavior.

Ceramics International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Several comparisons are made to understand the radiation efficiency curves.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

How could they be made to understand it?

The Guardian - Opinion

The Taliban must be made to understand that, too.

The New Yorker

which we were made to understand are without the Protectorate of the Colony.

Columbia University

Muriel, we are made to understand, is a self long ago shattered.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was made to understand" when you want to emphasize that someone else facilitated the understanding. For example, "The student was made to understand the importance of the assignment by the teacher."

Common error

Avoid using "were made to understand" when the subject is singular. The correct form is "was made to understand" for singular subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was made to understand" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone received information or an explanation that led them to a particular understanding. It highlights the recipient of the information rather than the source. According to Ludwig AI, this is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

56%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was made to understand" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express that someone came to a particular understanding, often due to external communication or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted in written English and appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While simpler alternatives exist, this phrase emphasizes the process and source of the understanding. When using "was made to understand", ensure correct subject-verb agreement and consider the degree of formality appropriate for your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was given to understand

Replaces "made" with "given", suggesting a slightly more passive receipt of information.

was informed that

Focuses on the act of being told something.

was led to believe

Implies a degree of influence or persuasion in forming the understanding.

was apprised of the fact that

A more formal way of saying "was informed".

understood that

A more direct and concise way of stating comprehension.

came to the understanding that

Emphasizes the process of arriving at an understanding.

it was conveyed to me that

Highlights the communication of information from an external source.

realized that

Simply states the act of becoming aware of something.

gained the impression that

Suggests an understanding based on inference rather than direct statement.

it dawned on me that

Indicates a sudden realization or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "was made to understand" in a sentence?

"Was made to understand" indicates that someone was caused to comprehend something. For instance, "She "was made to understand" the consequences of her actions."

What's a simpler way to say "was made to understand"?

You can use phrases like "understood that" or "realized that" to convey a similar meaning with fewer words.

Is "was made to understand" formal or informal?

"Was made to understand" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. In very informal situations, you might opt for simpler language.

What is the difference between "was made to understand" and "was led to believe"?

"Was made to understand" suggests a clearer communication of information, while "was led to believe" implies a degree of influence or potential misinformation.