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understand(verb)/ˌʌndəˈstænd/ /ˌʌndərˈstænd/Word Family- understand verb (≠ misunderstand)
- understandable adjective
- misunderstood adjective
- understanding adjective noun (≠ misunderstanding)
Verb Forms- to know or realize the meaning of words, a language, what somebody says, etc.
- Can you understand French?
- Do you understand the instructions?
- She didn't understand the form she was signing.
- His accent made him difficult to understand.
- I'm not sure that I understand. Go over it again.
- I don't want you doing that again. Do you understand?
- I don't understand what he's saying.
Extra Examples- I could barely understand a word of his story.
- If I've understood you correctly…
- The girl understands immediately and promises to be more careful.
- I finally understood what she meant.
- What is generally understood by ‘democracy’?
- to know or realize how or why something happens, how it works or why it is important
- Doctors still don't understand much about the disease.
- No one is answering the phone—I can't understand it.
- I fully understand the reason for your decision.
- She understands the importance of good design.
- I could never understand why she was fired.
- It is easy to understand how he made this mistake.
- They’re too young to understand what is happening.
- I just can't understand him taking the money.
- I just can't understand his taking the money.
- He was the first to understand that we live in a knowledge economy.
- The national housing market is better understood as a collection of small, local housing markets.
Extra Examples- Her behaviour wounded him in a way he did not really understand.
- They won't necessarily understand the pros and cons of the matter.
- The effects of these chemicals on the body are still poorly understood.
- These beliefs are best understood as a form of escapism.
- a woman struggling to understand an incomprehensible situation
- I can't understand what all the fuss is about.
- We came to understand why certain things happened in certain ways.
- She understood that this was her last chance.
- to know somebody’s character, how they feel and why they behave in the way they do
- Nobody understands me.
- He doesn't understand women at all.
- We understand each other, even if we don’t always agree.
- They understand what I have been through.
- I understand how hard things have been for you.
- I quite understand that you need some time alone.
- If you want to leave early, I'm sure he'll understand.
- I quite understand you needing some time alone.
- I quite understand your needing some time alone.
Extra Examples- These categories help us to better understand our readers.
- She realized that she had never properly understood him.
- to think or believe that something is true because you have been told that it is
- I understand (that) you wish to see the manager.
- Am I to understand that you refuse?
- The Prime Minister is understood to have been extremely angry about the report.
- It is understood that the band are working on their next album.
- to agree something with somebody without it needing to be said
- I thought it was understood that my expenses would be paid.
- to realize that a word in a phrase or sentence is not expressed and to supply it in your mind
- In the sentence ‘I can't drive’, the object ‘a car’ is understood.
- to make somebody believe/understand something
- I was given to understand that she had resigned.
- to make your meaning clear, especially in another language
- He doesn't speak much Japanese but he can make himself understood.
Word Origin- Old English understandan (see under-, stand).
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