I cannot make sense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I cannot make sense of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing confusion or inability to understand something. Example: "After reading the report, I cannot make sense of the conclusions drawn by the author."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She is a number of miles away I cannot make sense of -- seven hours ahead.

Huffington Post

"I go to meetings and when the health workers come to my house, I try to listen to them, but often I cannot make sense of what I am asked to do.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It looks at a government with clear social intentions, but flexible methods, and it cannot make sense of it.

The Guardian

Literature, as Kermode saw it, cannot make sense of our lives – and the end points, or destinations that we like to think we are heading for in our lives.

The Guardian - Books

The problem with Formosa's analysis of sadistic voyeurism is that it cannot make sense of cases where the voyeur is unable to prevent the harm from occurring.

SEP

I cannot make sense out of how an accomplished person, who was once so full of hope and desire to change the world would turn around and destroy the two people who brought him into the world, the people who watched him take his first step, saw him graduate grade school, and witnessed his great strides in pursuit of a noble career.

Huffington Post

For example I simply cannot make sense of two arguments listed as 3 and 4 in the conclusion.

Biology Direct

They are so used to thinking I'm their class enemy you can see they cannot make sense of it at all.

Independent

I believe that any society that is narrow-minded cannot make sense of that idea, but they could.

BBC

The "hatred of dark-skinned people" story cannot make sense of the many people from the Indian subcontinent I met when I was out leafleting for Remain, who were worried about immigration.

Huffington Post

In other words, I argue that there is a design to the fact that we cannot make sense of homosexuality.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I cannot make sense of", ensure that the context clearly indicates what you are struggling to understand. Providing specific details can enhance clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "I cannot make sense of" without specifying what you are trying to understand. For example, instead of saying "I cannot make sense of it", specify "I cannot make sense of the data presented in the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I cannot make sense of" functions as a statement of incomprehension. It indicates the speaker's inability to understand something, as shown in Ludwig's examples where individuals struggle to understand complex situations or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I cannot make sense of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey a lack of understanding or comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, from formal to informal. Its primary function is to express confusion or signal a need for further explanation. While versatile, it is best used with a clear indication of what is not understood, as vague language can reduce clarity. Related phrases such as ""I can't understand"" and ""I don't comprehend"" offer simpler or more formal alternatives, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I can't understand

A more direct and simple way of expressing a lack of understanding.

I don't comprehend

A slightly more formal alternative to "I can't understand".

I fail to grasp

Emphasizes the inability to fully understand or seize an idea.

I'm at a loss to understand

Highlights the feeling of being perplexed or puzzled.

I'm baffled by

Indicates a state of confusion and bewilderment.

I'm unable to decipher

Implies difficulty in interpreting or decoding something.

I struggle to understand

Suggests an effort to comprehend that is not succeeding.

It's beyond my comprehension

Indicates that something is too difficult to understand.

I find it incomprehensible

Expresses that something is impossible to understand.

It doesn't compute

An informal way of saying something doesn't make logical sense.

FAQs

What does "I cannot make sense of" mean?

It means that you are unable to understand something or find it confusing. You can use alternatives like "I can't understand" or "I don't comprehend".

How can I use "I cannot make sense of" in a sentence?

You can say, "I cannot make sense of the instructions" or "I cannot make sense of the author's argument" to indicate a lack of understanding.

Is there a more formal way to say "I cannot make sense of"?

Yes, you could say ""I don't comprehend"" or "I am at a loss to understand."

What's the difference between "I cannot make sense of" and "I don't understand"?

"I cannot make sense of" often implies a deeper level of confusion or complexity compared to the simpler "I don't understand". The former suggests an attempt to understand that has failed, while the latter is a more general statement of non-understanding.