were understood to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were understood to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating a general consensus or perception about something in the past. Example: "The findings of the study were understood to be significant in shaping future research directions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fifa executives from Asia and Africa were understood to be strongly in favour of the idea.

The Guardian - Sport

Three of the prisoner employees were understood to be managers at the company.

The Guardian

Eight of those taken to hospital were understood to be seriously ill.

The Guardian

The animals there were understood to be extremely rare, and special gamekeepers were hired to protect them.

The New Yorker

Sun executives were understood to be confident of their sources and even "relaxed" about the subsequent furore.

The Guardian

The increasing price of alcohol, restrictions on trading hours, and fewer outlets were understood to be effective in reducing harms.

The Guardian

Until recently, his criticisms were understood to be consistent with an odd, fractious but fundamentally sound friendship.

The New York Times

Cole and James were understood to be receiving treatment on minor knocks and are expected to train tomorrow.

Independent

It was two days after news broke of Donald Trump bragging about grabbing women "by the pussy" – when his election prospects were understood to be over.

The Guardian

Wives were understood to be "covered" under the civil identity of their husbands in much the same way as children were subject to their parents.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ministers were understood to be alarmed when one study found that Chinese tourists were buying vastly higher numbers of expensive designer handbags in Paris than in London.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were understood to be" when you want to convey a general, often unspoken, consensus or prevailing view about something in the past. It suggests a common understanding rather than a formally declared fact.

Common error

Avoid using "were understood to be" when you're only referring to your own understanding or the understanding of a small, specific group. In such cases, phrases like "I understood" or "we believed" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were understood to be" functions as a passive voice construction used to describe a state of common knowledge or consensus regarding a past situation or characteristic. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were understood to be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction that conveys a shared understanding or common perception about something in the past. Ludwig confirms its usability, highlighting its suitability for formal contexts, although it appears across various source types. This phrase serves to indicate a prevailing view rather than a definitively proven fact. Consider alternatives like "were considered to be" or "were believed to be" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing. Avoid using it when referencing personal understanding instead of shared consensus. The phrase is versatile and valuable in expressing nuanced historical or contextual understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were considered to be

Focuses on a considered judgment or evaluation rather than a general understanding.

were believed to be

Emphasizes belief or assumption, which might not be based on solid evidence.

were thought to be

Similar to 'believed', but can also indicate a tentative or speculative assessment.

were regarded as

Highlights a specific viewpoint or perspective, suggesting a particular estimation or opinion.

were deemed to be

Indicates a formal judgment or assessment, often by an authority.

were known to be

Suggests established knowledge or recognition of a fact or characteristic.

were recognized as

Implies acknowledgement or awareness of something's existence or quality.

were accepted as

Indicates widespread agreement or validation of something.

were perceived as

Focuses on subjective impression or sensory understanding.

were assumed to be

Suggests a presumption made without concrete proof or verification.

FAQs

How can I use "were understood to be" in a sentence?

Use "were understood to be" to express a shared or common understanding of something in the past. For example, "The terms of the agreement "were understood to be" beneficial to both parties".

What's the difference between "were understood to be" and "were thought to be"?

"Were understood to be" suggests a general consensus or common knowledge, while "were thought to be" implies a belief or opinion that may not be universally shared or based on concrete evidence.

What are some alternatives to using "were understood to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "were considered to be", "were believed to be", or "were regarded as" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "were understood to be" in formal writing?

Yes, "were understood to be" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase for conveying shared understanding, as demonstrated by its usage in various reputable sources.