I strive to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

"I strive to understand" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you are expressing an intention or commitment to learn or comprehend something. For example, "As a student, I strive to understand the material so I can apply it in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Work has taken me to Kabul a number of times and I strive to understand the country while wishing there were some answers to the best way forward.

The Guardian

Labour MSP Mary Fee also supported the bill, telling MSPs: "Having been married for 36 years and raised two children, I strive to understand how introducing this legislation takes anything away from my marriage".

BBC

To do this I strive to understand how the institutions (formal and informal rules and norms) that govern social behavior, interplay with biophysical variables to shape social-ecological systems.

Duke University

As a historian of alternative spiritual movements, I strive to understand the careers of people who lived by unusual -- and often misunderstood -- ideas.

Huffington Post

I'm a father of two sons, the husband of a wife I strive to understand, and a spiritual teacher who most days feels more like a fraud than a competent witness.

Huffington Post

As a philosopher, I am pressed to place these tragedies and, more importantly, our reactions to them within the larger Mexican perspective on life and death, as I strive to understand the sense of responsibility that compels human beings to bury the dead, and in this particular case, to find them, so they can be buried.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I will always strive to understand, rather than find fault.

The Guardian - Money

I don't strive to understand why other parents lead as they do, but rather to truly comprehend (and sometimes defend) the justification behind each decision my husband and I make together.

Huffington Post

Not originally coming from a marketing background, I had to really strive to understand how to operationalize certain tasks, such as go-to-market plans from conception to delivery.

Forbes

That's really what the writer intends to say, and that's what we should see, and that's what we should strive to understand". Well, I'm going to offer you two different ways actually more like three different ways to look at the novel in the second lecture.

Yale University

When you cease to strive to understand, then you will know, without understanding.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "I strive to understand" with a specific area of focus to add clarity. For instance, "I strive to understand the nuances of quantum physics".

Common error

Avoid using "I strive to understand" in situations where simpler phrases like "I want to understand" or "I'm trying to understand" would be more appropriate. The phrase is best reserved for expressing a significant, sustained effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I strive to understand" functions as a statement of intent, expressing a personal commitment to achieving comprehension. As evidenced by Ludwig, it clearly communicates a dedicated effort towards grasping a concept, idea, or situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

30%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I strive to understand" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that expresses a strong commitment to comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from academic and scientific discussions to news reporting, highlighting a genuine effort to learn and comprehend complex subjects. While the phrase is versatile, remember to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where a simpler expression wouldn't suffice. Its use is most impactful when you want to showcase sincere dedication and persistent effort in grasping knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I aim to comprehend

Changes "strive" to "aim", suggesting a goal-oriented approach to understanding.

I seek to grasp

Replaces "understand" with "grasp", implying a desire to fully seize or comprehend something.

I endeavor to learn

Uses "endeavor" instead of "strive", focusing on the effort put into learning, and "learn" instead of "understand".

I try to figure out

Offers a more informal alternative, suggesting an attempt to solve or understand something.

I make an effort to understand

Highlights the effort being made to achieve understanding.

I am dedicated to understanding

Emphasizes commitment to the process of understanding.

I am committed to learning

Focuses on a commitment to learning rather than just understanding.

My goal is understanding

Shifts the focus to understanding as the primary objective.

I have a desire for knowledge

Expresses a broader interest in gaining knowledge, which includes understanding.

I want to get to the bottom of it

A more colloquial way of saying you want to fully understand a situation or problem.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "I strive to understand"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "I'm trying to understand", "I want to understand", or "I'm working on understanding" as simpler alternatives.

When is it appropriate to use "I strive to understand"?

Use "I strive to understand" when you want to convey a serious and continuous effort to comprehend complex or challenging topics or perspectives.

What does it mean to "strive to understand" something?

To "strive to understand" means to make a determined and persistent effort to grasp or comprehend something, often implying that the subject is complex or difficult.

Is "I strive to understand" formal or informal?

The phrase "I strive to understand" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While it can be used in everyday conversation, it's particularly appropriate in academic, professional, and formal contexts.