while it is understandable that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while it is understandable that" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example: While it is understandable that the company is facing financial difficulties, drastic measures must be taken to ensure its survival.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"Informal Style of Electronic Messages Is Showing Up in Schoolwork, Study Finds" (news article, April 25) : While it is understandable that writers of e-mail and text messages find it quicker to write in lowercase, I hope that this practice will not carry over to more formal business correspondence and essays.

The New York Times

"While it is understandable that this package will worsen our near-term budget picture, we should not enact provisions that will exacerbate our long-term deficits and debt".

The New York Times

While it is understandable that our attention should be focused on Calais and Dover, this is a rather small part of the issue.

The Guardian

While it is understandable that the church has to defend the interests of its followers, the response to the dangers of politicised Islam should not be politicised Christianity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, it tells us that — while it is understandable that the Obama team would initially take a low-key approach to defending democracy workers in Egypt — Okail is right: There is such a thing as too low-key.

The New York Times

"While it is understandable that the courts have been asked to treat the public disturbances as an aggravating factor, this should be balanced against the key principle of criminal justice – that of proportionality".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Michael Tyndall, an auto analyst at Barclays Capital in London, said that while it was understandable that people were grasping for good news, the weakness in Europe was not over.

The New York Times

While it's understandable that biographers and other history writers are under increasing pressure to produce colourful narratives, this style dangerously strays into the territory of fiction.

Independent

And while it's understandable that the BBC should have fallen for art deco's charms, it might have been better if they had got their history straight.

The Guardian - Arts

While it's understandable that Mr. Thompson doesn't want to speak ill of the dead (fee) in its obituary, his is probably the understatement of the year.

The New York Times

While it's understandable that the A.I.G. bonuses fueled that firestorm, there's an argument that they were not as outrageous as they seemed, and that they were not even bonuses.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while it is understandable that" to acknowledge a common viewpoint before presenting a contrasting argument or perspective. This helps to build rapport with the reader and demonstrate fairness.

Common error

Avoid using "while it is understandable that" repeatedly within a short span of text. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while it is understandable that" functions as a concessive conjunction. It introduces a clause that acknowledges a particular viewpoint or circumstance, typically before presenting a contrasting or opposing argument. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it signals understanding before introducing a different perspective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

43%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while it is understandable that" is a versatile phrase used to acknowledge a perspective before presenting a contrasting argument. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media and scientific writing. This phrase functions as a concessive conjunction, aiming to create a balanced and fair tone. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives such as "although it's conceivable that" or "even though it's reasonable to assume". By understanding the nuances, purpose, and context of this phrase, you can effectively use it to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while acknowledging that

Shortens the phrase while retaining the sense of acceptance.

although it's conceivable that

Substitutes "understandable" with "conceivable", focusing on possibility rather than empathy.

even if it makes sense that

Uses "makes sense" instead of "understandable", focusing on reason.

even though it's reasonable to assume

Replaces "understandable" with "reasonable to assume", shifting from understanding to logical assumption.

granted that it's conceivable that

Uses "granted that" instead of "while", providing a more formal tone.

though it's not unexpected that

Employs "not unexpected" to replace "understandable", highlighting predictability.

notwithstanding the fact that

Offers a more formal alternative with "notwithstanding".

despite the fact that it's conceivable that

Focuses on contrasting with a possible situation.

admittedly it's easy to see why

Replaces the initial phrase with "admittedly", signaling agreement before introducing a contrast.

in light of the fact that

Offers a more formal alternative with "in light of the fact".

FAQs

How can I use "while it is understandable that" in a sentence?

The phrase "while it is understandable that" is used to acknowledge a perspective before introducing a contrasting idea or argument. For example: "While it is understandable that some are hesitant, the benefits outweigh the risks."

What are some alternatives to "while it is understandable that"?

You can use alternatives like "although it's conceivable that", "even though it's reasonable to assume", or "granted that it's conceivable that" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "while it is understandable that" or "although"?

"While it is understandable that" is more emphatic in acknowledging a viewpoint before contrasting it. "Although" is a simpler conjunction for showing contrast without necessarily implying understanding or agreement. The choice depends on the desired nuance.

Can "while it is understandable that" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "while it is understandable that" is appropriate for formal writing. It offers a professional and nuanced way to introduce contrasting perspectives in reports, essays, and other formal documents.