understand right vs understand correctly

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Understand right' is less common and informal, often used in casual conversations. 'Understand correctly' is more formal and widely accepted in written and spoken English.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 1297 views

This phrase is less common and informal, often used in casual conversations.

"understand right"

This phrase is used informally to mean understanding something accurately or correctly.

Examples:

I want to make sure you understand right before we move on.
Do you understand right now?

Show examples from the web [+]

I know this is very difficult to understand right now, but we did everything that we could.
There's a lot in my life that I don't understand right now but the one thing that I'm sure of is how I feel about you.
Your client is mature enough to understand right and wrong.
I understand right now you've agreed to withhold information from the police.
Henry doesn't understand right from wrong, or care.
It's probably tougher than you can understand right now.
You understand right now how important it is to be seen.
If I understand right you think that it is too time consuming.
I know it's hard for you to understand right now, but you'll see.
I understand right now they don't have enough to charge you with anything.
You don't understand right now 'cause you're just a little boy.
If I understand right, the entire city water supply.
You'll have to accept that there are certain things you won't understand right away.
Probably tougher than you can understand right now.
How about, she finally grew old enough to understand right from wrong?
I don't expect you to understand right now, but I know what you need to do.
Chris won't understand right now, but... in time, he will.
Mi Nam, you can understand right?
Should the reply be, however, that we already have Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, then you must understand right now that that is a false answer.
To legislate over life and death, we need people who understand right from wrong.

Alternatives:

understand correctly
understand accurately
understand properly
understand the situation
understand the concept

This phrase is more formal and widely accepted in written and spoken English.

"understand correctly"

This phrase is used formally to mean understanding something accurately or correctly.

Examples:

Please make sure you understand correctly before proceeding.
It is important to understand correctly what the instructions say.

Show examples from the web [+]

You will discuss it next week with Council because, if I understand correctly, we currently lack a qualified majority.
Tom, am I to understand correctly that you are now romantically involved with Ann Perkins?
If I understand correctly, a lot of the questions put are designed to anticipate applying the provisions of the Constitutional Treaty.
Mr President, if I understand correctly, the agenda which has been proposed for us provides for any unfinished morning votes to continue at 6 p.m.
If I understand correctly, that was a meeting where all the Member State governments and the US were represented, and if I am not mistaken Mr Solana and Mr de Vries were there as well.
If I understand correctly, the stakes of the upcoming vote are significant.
If I understand correctly, your wife is under a very particular magical contract.
If I understand correctly, the same number who travels through must also return.
If I understand correctly she says...
He was a priest here If I understand correctly.
So if I understand correctly, your brother murdered her.
"The Company" was essentially French, if I understand correctly.
If I understand correctly, a friend's grandfather has died.
If I understand correctly, you drove Parker home.
If I understand correctly, this is about the vote on the 2012 calendar.
We anticipate, if I understand correctly, a report in September on core activities.
He's going to work on a shrimper, if I understand correctly.
You don't understand correctly.)
If I understand correctly, you're saying Watteau was a voyeur.
And if I understand correctly, you haven't spoken much since.

Alternatives:

understand right
understand accurately
understand properly
understand the situation
understand the concept

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understand right vs understand correctly