we came to understand that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we came to understand that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a realization or insight gained over time regarding a particular subject or situation. Example: "After months of research and discussion, we came to understand that the issue was more complex than we initially thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"We came to understand that small and important thing, that our lives could be large with interesting strangers who would pass us without any personal involvement".

The New York Times - Books

So we came to understand that small and important thing, that our lives could be large with interesting strangers who would pass us without any personal involvement".

The Guardian - Books

We came to understand that making the scenarios relevant required a keener knowledge of decision makers and their microcosm than we had ever imagined.

Harvard Business Review

Over the course of time, with the help of addiction counselors, and sharing our circumstance at Al-Anon in particular, we came to understand that we were not alone.

The New York Times

Still, we came to understand that the cause of the conflict was not borders or even refugees but the same hatred of Jewish statehood that drove the Arabs to invade us in 1948.

The New York Times

So we came to understand that small and important thing, that our lives could be large with interesting strangers who would pass us without any personal involvement". The ship docks in England and the passengers disembark.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Gradually, we come to understand that we are its eyes.

The New York Times - Arts

We come to understand that the show must go on.

The New York Times - Books

And gradually we come to understand that the injured party was complicit in his own abuse.

The New Yorker

We come to understand that Mrs. Hauptmann can call it art because it has been commodified, bought — by her.

The New Yorker

He dismisses her opinions, and we come to understand that his muses are meant to be silent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we came to understand that" when you want to emphasize a process of gradual understanding or a shift in perspective. This phrase is useful when the realization wasn't immediate but developed over time.

Common error

Avoid using "we came to understand that" in situations where a simpler phrase like "we learned" or "we realized" would be more direct and effective. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we came to understand that" functions as a transitional phrase introducing a clause that explains what was realized or comprehended. It signals a shift in understanding and is often used to present a conclusion or insight derived from experience or analysis, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we came to understand that" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that expresses a realization or insight gained over time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid. While simpler alternatives like "we realized that" or "we learned that" exist, this phrase emphasizes the process of understanding, making it useful when that process is significant. While applicable across different contexts, from news to business, overusing it can make writing sound verbose. It is most frequently found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we realized that

More concise and direct, omitting the sense of gradual understanding.

we learned that

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge rather than the process of understanding.

we discovered that

Implies finding something previously unknown.

we grasped that

Highlights a firm and complete understanding.

we recognized that

Emphasizes acknowledgment of a fact or truth.

it dawned on us that

Suggests a sudden realization.

we became aware that

Focuses on gaining awareness of something.

we ascertained that

Implies a more formal and thorough investigation leading to understanding.

we figured out that

Suggests problem-solving or deduction to reach understanding.

we concluded that

Indicates a judgment or decision based on evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "we came to understand that" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to express a realization or insight gained over time. For example: "After analyzing the data, "we came to understand that" the initial assumptions were incorrect."

What are some alternatives to "we came to understand that"?

You can use alternatives like "we realized that", "we learned that", or "we discovered that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "we came to understand that" or "we understood that"?

"We came to understand that" implies a gradual process of realization, while "we understood that" suggests a more immediate comprehension. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the process or the result. Using the phrase "we understood that" may be more appropriate when talking about immediate insight.

What's the difference between "we came to understand that" and "we began to understand that"?

While both phrases indicate a process of gaining understanding, "we came to understand that" suggests the process is complete and understanding has been reached. "We began to understand that" implies the process is still ongoing or has only just started.