Irregular verb
The verb to understand
understand → understood → understood
A2Meaning: to know what something means; to know how someone feels · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 50 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they understand·he/she/it understands - Past Simple:
understood - Past participle:
understood(the same as the Past Simple) - -ing form:
understanding
Conjugation of the verb to understand
Present Simple
| I | understand |
| You | understand |
| He / She / It | understands |
| We | understand |
| You (pl.) | understand |
| They | understand |
Past Simple
| I | understood |
| You | understood |
| He / She / It | understood |
| We | understood |
| You (pl.) | understood |
| They | understood |
All the forms of the verb to understand
Present Simple
Full pageunderstand / understands
“I understand English well.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are understanding
“I understand the lesson (not I am understanding the lesson).”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pageunderstood
“I understood the question.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were understanding
“I understood the lesson (not I was understanding the lesson).”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has understood
“I have always understood the lesson.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad understood
“I had never understood the lesson before that day.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill understand
“I will understand the lesson tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to understand
“I'm going to understand the lesson this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould understand
“I would understand the lesson if I listened more.”
See the pageHow to use to understand
1. Understanding a meaning or a language
- I understand French.
- Do you understand the question?
2. Understanding people
- I understand how you feel.
- She understood my situation.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I am understanding ❌
Understand is a state verb. We never say I am understanding in this meaning. Always say I understand.
2. Understood?
On its own, understood can mean “I understand” or “Do you understand?”: Be at school by 8. Understood?
Going further
Conjugating to understand is a key skill in the English contest
Every year, the Big Challenge tests the key English verbs. Register your students so they can check their level in a real contest.
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Practise on PLAYYou can conjugate to understand. Now say it out loud.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of understand?+
The Past Simple of understand is understood, the same for every person. The past participle is the same: understood. Understand → understood → understood.
Is it understood or understanded?+
Understand comes from under + stand. Stand is irregular (stand → stood → stood), so understand follows the same pattern: understood. The under- part changes nothing.
What do you say when you don't understand?+
Say I don't understand. Don't mix it up with I don't know (you don't have the information). Sorry, I don't understand. Could you say that again?
Can you say I am understanding?+
No. Understand is a state verb (a verb for a state, not an action), like know, believe and love. We don't use it in the Present Continuous. Use the Present Simple: I understand.
What is the difference between understand and know?+
Understand means to get the meaning, to follow an explanation. Know means to have the information. I know her name (information). I understand the rules (meaning).
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/understand
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.