we both understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we both understood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing mutual comprehension between two people regarding a specific topic or situation. Example: "After discussing the project details, we both understood the importance of meeting the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"We both understood what we meant".

The New York Times

We both understood each other perfectly".

The New York Times

We both understood it was the rules of war".

The New Yorker

We both understood the situation, the importance of it.

The Guardian - Sport

I think we both understood that the first time happens only once.

The Guardian - Books

I think we both understood that there was something for us to gain.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

We both understand that.

The New York Times - Sports

"We both understand the consumer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I think we both understand that".

The New York Times

"We both understand the importance of this".

The New York Times

"But we both understand that even if we disagree, we need to present a united front".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we both understood" to clearly convey a shared comprehension of a situation or agreement on an implicit point. This is especially useful in narratives or explanations where establishing mutual understanding is key to the story or argument.

Common error

Avoid using "we both understood" if there's a chance the other party's understanding differs from yours. Ensure clarity by explicitly stating what was understood, especially in professional contexts. Otherwise it will sound like you are assuming shared knowledge when it might not exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we both understood" functions as a conjunction phrase indicating a shared comprehension between two individuals. Ludwig examples show its use in various narrative contexts to establish common ground or implicit agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we both understood" is a common and grammatically correct way to express mutual comprehension between two individuals. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is most prevalent in news and media contexts. While it's a versatile phrase, ensure clarity in its application to avoid assumptions of shared understanding. Consider using alternatives like "we both realized" or "we both knew" depending on the specific context. Using the phrase correctly can enhance clarity and establish a shared understanding within your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we both realized

Emphasizes the shared act of coming to a realization.

we both recognized

Stresses the shared recognition of a fact or truth.

we were both aware

Focuses on shared awareness of a situation rather than active understanding.

we both acknowledged

Highlights a formal acknowledgement of something rather than a general understanding.

we both knew

Focuses on the shared prior knowledge rather than developing a new understanding.

we were in agreement

Highlights the shared agreement more than the underlying understanding.

we mutually agreed

Emphasizes the agreement as a result of a shared decision.

we were on the same page

An idiom indicating shared understanding or agreement on a matter.

we saw eye to eye

An idiom expressing complete agreement or shared perspective.

we had a meeting of minds

Highlights a moment where a shared perspective has been reached.

FAQs

How can I use "we both understood" in a sentence?

You can use "we both understood" to indicate a shared comprehension of a situation or an agreement. For example, "After the explanation, "we both understood" the importance of the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "we both understood"?

Some alternatives include "we both realized", "we both knew", or "we both acknowledged", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "we both understood"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that two people shared the same understanding of something, whether it was explicitly stated or implicitly implied.

Is "we both understand" interchangeable with "we both understood"?

While similar, "we both understand" indicates a current, ongoing understanding, whereas "we both understood" refers to a past shared comprehension. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the understanding.