we did not understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we did not understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a lack of comprehension regarding something that was said or presented. Example: "After the presentation, we did not understand the main points and needed further clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"We did not understand.

The New York Times

"We did not understand what they wanted".

The New York Times

There was a tension we did not understand.

The New York Times

"Even though we did not understand each other, I began to talk and talk," Alvarenga told me.

The Guardian

"It's $690 million of the taxpayers' funds that hit us at a point where we did not understand," he said.

The New York Times

We are uneducated; we did not understand". Yet this motley group of six or seven was enough to scare the villagers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

We didn't understand".

The New Yorker

We didn't understand the joke.

The New York Times

"We didn't understand fashion.

The New York Times - Magazine

We didn't understand what had happened.

The New Yorker

We were kids, we didn't understand.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we did not understand" to clearly and directly express a lack of comprehension, especially when precision is important. It avoids ambiguity and ensures your audience knows exactly what you mean.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "we did not understand" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "we didn't get it" or "we were confused" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we did not understand" functions as a statement expressing a lack of comprehension or knowledge at a specific point in time. It's a direct way to communicate that understanding was absent, as Ludwig's examples clearly illustrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we did not understand" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a past lack of comprehension. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently in news, science, and business contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the audience and context when choosing between this more formal phrasing and informal alternatives like "we didn't get it". Understanding its usage helps ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we failed to comprehend

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey a lack of understanding.

we were unable to grasp

Emphasizes the inability to seize or fully understand something.

it was beyond our comprehension

Highlights that something was too difficult to understand.

we couldn't make sense of it

Focuses on the inability to find a logical explanation or meaning.

we were in the dark about

Implies a lack of knowledge or awareness.

we hadn't a clue

An informal way of saying that you don't know anything about something.

we were oblivious to

Suggests being unaware of something happening.

we misinterpreted

Focuses on the action of understanding something incorrectly.

we were unenlightened regarding

Highlights a state of not being informed or understanding.

we lacked the insight to

Implies that a deeper understanding was needed but not present.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "we did not understand"?

You can use alternatives like "we failed to comprehend", "we were unable to grasp", or "it was beyond our comprehension" depending on the context.

How to use "we did not understand" in a sentence?

Use "we did not understand" to express a lack of comprehension. For example, "We did not understand the instructions, so we asked for clarification."

What's the difference between "we did not understand" and "we didn't understand"?

"We did not understand" is more formal, while "we didn't understand" is a contraction suitable for informal contexts. Both express the same meaning.

Is it correct to say "we do not understand" instead of "we did not understand"?

Yes, "we do not understand" is correct, but it refers to a present lack of understanding, while "we did not understand" refers to a past lack of understanding.