Can I use "understand" instead of "understood" in this sentence?

Question

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I have worked with hundreds of corporate and non-corporate clients and *understand* that confidentiality is an essential matter to my clients, therefore, I am always open to signing a Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement of your choice before examining your ....

Answer 1

Yes, use "understand" because you still do understand.

If you want "understood" you need to make clear that it's a past participle and not a past tense, and that it's not changing now. (present perfect) Best way would be "and have always understood".

You can't use "therefore" as a conjunction like that, though. Either start a new sentence before "therefore" or use "and so"

Answer 2

Yes, you can.

In this case, "understand" implies that in the present you have this understanding. Of course, you are changing the verb tense, but this is a matter of meaning and time.

I have worked = present perfect tense
(I have) understood (if you choose to use this form) = present perfect tense
understand = present simple tense

Answer 3

understand suggest a present condition of still understanding (yadda yadda yadd). understood (while technically correct) doesn't sound right. people will know what you mean, but it somewhat opens the door for interpretation that you once undestood, but no longer understand.

it shouldn't make sense, but subconsciously someone would pick up on it.

go with understand.

Answer 4

Use 'understand' because you still do understand (I assume). Using 'understood' may imply that you used to understand, but you don't anymore.

Answer 5

Understood is past tense. Understand is present tense.

Answer 6

understand is the best one to use in this sentence.

understood is the past tense of understand.

Answer 7

Understand is the correct one to use in this context

Answer 8

yes, because you understand what you had to do

Answer 9

understand is correct.

Answer 10

Yes you can.