were not understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not comprehended or grasped by someone or a group of people. Example: "The complex theories presented in the lecture were not understood by the majority of the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As Bracha points out, early patents and copyrights were not understood to involve ideas.

The New Yorker

Iraq's biological weapons program was so secretive that its dimensions were not understood until 1995.

The New York Times

There are other similar remarks that suggest that she felt her forms were not understood or appreciated.

The Guardian - Books

He added, "E Ink was done at an early time when a lot of these problems were not understood".

The New York Times - Tech

The dark pessimism and harsh restriction of tone of Bob Slocum, the novel's protagonist, were not understood.

The Guardian - Books

He had actually discovered lysergic acid in 1938, but its properties were not understood and Sandoz dropped it.

The Guardian

At this time the health risks of drinking such filthy water were not understood, despite regular outbreaks of cholera.

The Guardian - Books

Instead these transgressions were not understood as the tarnishing of racial purity but the contamination of a commercial brand.

The Guardian - Sport

The sex passages in The Rainbow were not understood, in 1915, as ritual enactments of the universal essence, but as dirt.

The Guardian - Books

According to the settlement, the communications from Barclays "were not intended and were not understood as disclosures through which Barclays self-reported misconduct to authorities".

The New York Times

The engineering principles that dictated functional effectiveness were not understood in any systematic fashion, yet the psychological reality of victory or defeat was starkly evident.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "were not understood" with stronger verbs that more precisely convey the nature of the misunderstanding, such as "misinterpreted" or "overlooked", for enhanced specificity and impact.

Common error

Be careful not to use "were not understood" when the intended meaning is closer to "were ignored" or "were dismissed". These terms have different implications, and selecting the right one is crucial for conveying the intended message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not understood" functions as a passive construction, indicating a lack of comprehension. As Ludwig states, it expresses that something was not grasped or comprehended by someone. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, from scientific concepts to social issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were not understood" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a lack of comprehension. As Ludwig AI explains, it serves to indicate that something was not grasped by a particular individual or group. This phrase appears most often in news, scientific publications, and encyclopedic content. When employing "were not understood", be mindful of clarity, ensuring the context specifies who did not understand what. Also, consider the tone and impact of the phrase, and whether a more specific verb would better suit your intended meaning. Remember there are also alternative phrases that can be employed to create the right nuanced tone, such as "remained unclear" or "were not grasped".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were not comprehended

Emphasizes a lack of mental assimilation or understanding.

were not grasped

Highlights a failure to fully comprehend or seize an idea.

were not known

Indicates a lack of awareness or information.

remained unclear

Focuses on the lack of clarity surrounding a topic or situation.

were not recognized

Highlights a failure to acknowledge or perceive something.

were not perceived

Emphasizes a lack of sensory or intuitive awareness.

were not appreciated

Implies that the value or importance was missed.

were misinterpreted

Focuses on an incorrect understanding or interpretation.

escaped understanding

Suggests that the information was missed or too difficult to grasp.

were beyond comprehension

Stresses the impossibility of understanding due to complexity.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "were not understood"?

You can use alternatives like "remained unclear", "were not grasped", or "were not comprehended" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "were not understood" in a sentence?

Ensure the sentence clearly specifies who did not understand what. For example, "The implications of the new policy were not understood by the employees."

What's the difference between "were not understood" and "were misunderstood"?

"Were not understood" implies a lack of any comprehension, while "were misunderstood" suggests an incorrect interpretation. The choice depends on whether there was a complete lack of understanding or simply a wrong one.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "were not understood"?

While "were not understood" is in the passive voice, it's often appropriate when the focus is on what wasn't understood rather than who failed to understand. However, consider using the active voice (e.g., "They did not understand the instructions") if emphasizing the actor is important.