we understand you

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'We understand you' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express empathy or sympathy when someone is going through a difficult time. For example: "We understand you are going through a tough time right now. We are here for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We understand you must establish authority".

The New York Times

"We understand you," he said they tell the children.

Independent

We understand you guys are gonna play hard in Philadelphia, but we're coming, too.

The New York Times - Sports

We understand you had to make some concessions to become prime minister.

The Guardian

"We understand you have to work," said Norman Moses, who was a longtime Skylight performer.

The New York Times - Arts

His message to developers was clear: This is Microsoft, but we understand you.

The New York Times

Very well, we understand you, and we want to help you.

The Guardian - Opinion

We understand you want to know the facts as quickly as possible.

The Guardian

We understand you can't invite everyone, but no one wants to hear endlessly about a party we're not invited to.

The New York Times

"We understand you very well and we never propose anything that you cannot accept," the official said.

The New York Times

So, we understand you want to talk to us about a car … Yeah, it's really good actually.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “we understand you” to convey empathy and acknowledge someone's feelings or situation. It's particularly effective when offering support or resolving conflicts.

Common error

Avoid using “we understand you” as a way to shut down further discussion. Make it clear that understanding someone's perspective doesn't necessarily mean you agree with it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we understand you" functions as an empathetic statement, conveying comprehension and acknowledgment of another person's feelings, situation, or perspective. It aims to establish rapport and signal support, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we understand you" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey empathy and comprehension. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is primarily used in News & Media contexts, showing an effort to relate to the audience’s perspectives. While offering support and acknowledgment, it is crucial to ensure clarity of intention, as merely "understanding" does not imply “agreement.” Related phrases, such as “"we empathize with you"” and “we comprehend your position”, offer alternative means of expressing this sentiment. When using this expression, be mindful of the situation to avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we know how you feel

Emphasizes emotional understanding and shared feelings.

we empathize with you

Replaces "understand" with a stronger emotional resonance, emphasizing shared feelings.

we recognize your concerns

Highlights awareness and acknowledgement of someone's worries.

we comprehend your position

More formal; focuses on intellectual understanding of someone's stance.

we are aware of your situation

Expresses cognizance of someone's circumstances, implying understanding.

we acknowledge your viewpoint

Formally recognizes someone's opinion, suggesting understanding.

we get where you're coming from

Informal and idiomatic; emphasizes understanding the reasoning behind someone's actions or thoughts.

we take your point

Directly indicates acceptance of someone's argument, indicating understanding.

we appreciate your perspective

Focuses on valuing someone's viewpoint, implying understanding.

we hear you loud and clear

Idiomatic; signifies strong understanding and acknowledgement.

FAQs

How can I use "we understand you" in a sentence?

Use "we understand you" to show empathy or acknowledge someone's situation. For example, "We understand you're frustrated with the delays, and we're working to resolve them."

What's a more formal alternative to "we understand you"?

A more formal alternative is "we comprehend your position", which is suited to professional contexts where intellectual understanding is emphasized.

When is it appropriate to use "we understand you"?

It's appropriate to use “we understand you” in situations where you want to show empathy, acknowledge someone's feelings or concerns, or convey that you grasp their perspective.

What is the difference between "we understand you" and "we agree with you"?

"We understand you" means you comprehend their perspective, while "we agree with you" means you share the same opinion. Understanding does not necessarily imply agreement.