we all understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we all understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a group of people has a shared comprehension of a situation or information. Example: "After the presentation, we all understood the importance of the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

I think we all understood that.

The New York Times

Stephen said we all understood the risks.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nobody knew for sure, but that's what we all understood".

The Guardian

Of course we all understood why a few weeks later.

The Guardian - Sport

It was never written down, but we all understood it".

The New York Times - Magazine

"We all understood what he was going through.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Ethics and compassion are human values we all understand.

Huffington Post

I hope we can all understand that?

The Guardian

We can all understand that.

BBC

We could all understand.

Huffington Post

We can all understand and respect that.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we all understood" to emphasize a shared understanding within a specific group or context. This strengthens the sense of unity and agreement.

Common error

While useful for conveying shared knowledge, excessive repetition of "we all understood" can make your writing sound informal or redundant. In formal contexts, consider using more nuanced synonyms or rephrasing to avoid overemphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we all understood" functions as a statement of shared comprehension. Grammatically, it consists of a pronoun ("we"), an adverb ("all"), and a verb in the past tense ("understood"). Ludwig examples confirm its use in conveying a collective understanding of a situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we all understood" is a common and grammatically correct way to express shared comprehension among a group of people. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from reliable sources, indicates that it is frequently used in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While it effectively conveys a collective understanding, it's important to be mindful of potential overuse in formal writing and to consider alternative phrasings for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everyone understood

Uses "everyone" instead of "we all", broadening the scope of the understanding to a larger group.

we all grasped

Emphasizes the mental effort involved in understanding, implying a firm hold on the concept.

we all realized

Indicates a moment of sudden comprehension, a shift from not knowing to knowing, differing slightly from a continuous state of understanding.

we all recognized

Focuses on the acknowledgment or identification of something already known or evident.

we all perceived

Implies understanding through sensory input or intuition, suggesting a deeper level of comprehension.

we all knew

Implies pre-existing knowledge or awareness, in contrast to coming to an understanding at a specific point.

we all figured out

Highlights the process of solving a problem or understanding something complex.

we were all aware

Highlights the shared consciousness of a fact or situation, indicating attentiveness.

it was clear to all of us

Shifts the focus to the clarity of the information, suggesting an obvious understanding.

it dawned on all of us

Conveys a gradual realization, in contrast to immediate understanding.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we all understood" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "we all realized", "we all knew", or "everyone understood" to add nuance and avoid repetition.

Is "we all understood" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "we all understood" may sound informal in some formal contexts. Consider using phrases like "it was clear to all of us" or "we were all aware" for a more professional tone.

What does "we all understood" imply about the group?

"We all understood" suggests a shared comprehension within a specific group, implying unity and agreement on the matter at hand. It emphasizes that the understanding was not individual but collective.

How does "we all understood" differ from "I understood"?

"We all understood" indicates a shared understanding among multiple people, whereas "I understood" refers to an individual's comprehension. The former highlights collective knowledge, while the latter emphasizes personal understanding.