was understood by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was understood by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone comprehended something, typically in a passive construction. Example: "The complex theory was understood by only a few students in the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At least, that was understood by dinosaur enthusiasts.

The Guardian

He added that he hoped the message was "understood" by all parties.

The Guardian - Business

This parasitic miracle was understood by the 1950s but the large blue continued to decline.

The Guardian

It was understood by all that the chief had probably been profiting from illegal diamond mining.

The New York Times

"It was understood by everyone there that this was stopping," Smith said.

The New Yorker

His racial identity was understood by those who embraced his achievements and those who sought to disparage them.

The Guardian - Sport

A surprise rule change or an interpretation which was understood by some and misunderstood by others also defeats symmetry.

The New York Times

The more high-minded and conservative of the two, Habima presented its performances in Hebrew, a language that was understood by few Russian Jews.

The New York Times - Arts

"I think that it was understood by our white classmates — not just Hillary — that it had always been our fight," Wardlaw said.

The New Yorker

The symbolism of a government saying that they were a part of the people, rather than apart from the people, was understood by all.

The Guardian

He had all the instincts of a survivor, and indeed all the qualifications of a hero, as heroism was understood by Americans of the dime-novel era.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was understood by", ensure the subject clearly identifies who possessed the understanding. For instance, specify "The concept was understood by the researchers" rather than just "The concept was understood".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by always specifying who did the understanding. Sentences lacking a clear subject (e.g., "It was understood that...") can be vague. Rephrase to clarify: "The team understood that..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was understood by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone comprehended or grasped something. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is commonly used to express that an idea, concept, or message was successfully received and processed by a particular individual or group. It emphasizes the receiver of the understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was understood by" is a grammatically sound and widely used passive construction that serves to indicate comprehension or acknowledgement of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. This phrase is most frequently encountered in science, news, and formal business contexts. When using "was understood by", ensure clarity by specifying who possessed the understanding and avoid ambiguous phrasing. Related phrases include "was comprehended by", "was grasped by", and "was known to", each with slightly different nuances. Keep in mind the advice offered to ensure your writing remains clear and grammatically correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was comprehended by

Replaces "understood" with "comprehended", offering a slightly more formal tone.

was grasped by

Uses "grasped" instead of "understood", suggesting a more intuitive or immediate understanding.

was clear to

Indicates that something was easily understood or apparent.

was known to

Shifts the focus to knowledge or awareness, rather than active understanding.

was apparent to

Similar to 'was clear to', emphasizing obviousness or ease of perception.

was appreciated by

Implies that something was not only understood but also valued or recognized for its importance.

was recognized by

Focuses on the recognition of something, rather than necessarily a deep understanding.

was realized by

Suggests a dawning of understanding or a sudden awareness.

was perceived by

Emphasizes the process of perceiving or noticing something, leading to understanding.

was gathered by

Indicates that understanding was achieved through collecting information or clues.

FAQs

How can I use "was understood by" in a sentence?

The phrase "was understood by" is used to indicate that something was comprehended or grasped by a specific person or group. For example, "The implications of the study "was understood by" the scientists."

What are some alternatives to "was understood by"?

You can use alternatives such as "was comprehended by", "was grasped by", or "was known to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "was understood by" or "understood by"?

The phrase "was understood by" is in the passive voice, while "understood by" is part of a passive construction. Using "was understood by" is generally preferred when you want to emphasize that the subject received the understanding.

What's the difference between "was understood by" and "was interpreted by"?

While both phrases relate to comprehension, "was understood by" implies a general grasp of meaning, whereas "was interpreted by" suggests assigning a specific meaning or significance. For instance, a text "was understood by" many, but "was interpreted by" each reader differently.