was understood to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was understood to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a general consensus or interpretation of something in the past. Example: "The proposal was understood to be a temporary solution until a more permanent fix could be implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Intimacy was understood to be beneficial to men's well-being, and it was common for men to share both emotional and physical closeness.

Huffington Post

Their participation in such events was understood to be necessary to the city's social well-being.

The New York Times

Initially, Rippon was understood to be ready to air it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Donkin was understood to be at the court supporting a friend involved in another case.

The Guardian

The killing was understood to be punishment for working with the Americans.

The New York Times

It was understood to be a distant aspiration, not a concrete midterm goal.

The Guardian - Opinion

The prime minister was understood to be furious with Freud for slipping up.

The Guardian

Sky News said Mr Ecclestone's trial was understood to be due to start in April.

Independent

During the season, the Mets' front office was understood to be lukewarm on Pagan.

The New York Times - Sports

In its earlier life, the film was understood to be about Catherine, rather than Jules and Jim.

The Guardian - Books

He was unable to comment to Guardian Australia on Thursday afternoon as he was understood to be travelling.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was understood to be" when you want to convey a generally accepted, but possibly unspoken or unconfirmed, understanding of a situation or concept in the past. For example, "The agreement was understood to be temporary, pending further negotiations."

Common error

While acceptable, overuse of "was understood to be" can make writing sound passive and vague. Opt for stronger verbs or more direct phrasing when appropriate, especially in formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "was considered" or "was believed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was understood to be" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a particular understanding or interpretation existed in the past. It is often used to convey a generally accepted belief or assumption without explicitly stating who held that belief. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Huffington Post

3%

Vice

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was understood to be" is a commonly used and grammatically correct passive construction that indicates a past, generally accepted understanding or belief. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it functions to convey shared interpretations across diverse contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of potential overuse in formal settings and consider stronger, more direct alternatives. The phrase enjoys considerable usage, especially in news and media, underscoring its relevance in contemporary communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was perceived as

Focuses on the interpretation or impression something gave.

was considered to be

Highlights a formal or deliberate evaluation of something.

was regarded as

Emphasizes a viewpoint or opinion about something.

was believed to be

Indicates a common acceptance or conviction about something.

was deemed to be

Suggests a judgment or formal assessment of something.

was thought to be

Implies a tentative or speculative understanding.

was assumed to be

Indicates a presumption or expectation about something.

was taken to be

Suggests a particular interpretation was adopted.

was known as

Highlights a generally accepted identity or designation.

was recognized as

Focuses on acknowledging the nature or quality of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "was understood to be" to indicate a past consensus or generally accepted belief. For example, "The project deadline "was understood to be" flexible."

What are some alternatives to "was understood to be"?

Some alternatives include "was considered to be", "was believed to be", or "was perceived as". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "was understood to be" or "is understood to be"?

"Was understood to be" refers to a past understanding, while "is understood to be" refers to a present understanding. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the time frame.

What's the difference between "was assumed to be" and "was understood to be"?

"Was assumed to be" implies a presumption without concrete evidence, while "was understood to be" suggests a mutual agreement or general comprehension, even if not explicitly stated. The first is more speculative. You can use "was assumed to be" when there is no support.