attempt to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

"attempt to comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are trying to understand something. For example, "I attempted to comprehend the complex math equation, but it proved too difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

There's not much of an attempt to comprehend them beyond their sex appeal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most of all, what's missing is a reckoning, an attempt to comprehend the incomprehensible.

The New Yorker

His quixotic and winning book is an attempt to comprehend the physical realities of the Internet, to describe how this seemingly intangible thing is actually constructed.

The New York Times

Whether it's Batman's frustrated attempt to comprehend a Tardis, or confusion about right and wrong on the Yellow Brick Road, Dimensions knows how to raise a smile.

The Guardian - Tech

Ms. Neiman is too subtle a reader of Kant to believe that evil is that simple, but it is also, she argues, so important that much of Western philosophy is an attempt to comprehend it.

The New York Times - Books

Garner's book – which follows the trials of Singh and her accused accomplice, Madhavi Rao – is a concerted attempt to comprehend a killing that in its messiness and senselessness almost eludes understanding.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Much of religion concerned attempts to comprehend and respond to the unpredictable and the unfortunate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So an entire cast of green manikins litters the history of our attempts to comprehend plants as active organisms.

The Guardian - Books

In their attempts to comprehend such a huge heterogeneous continent, scholars have often tried to divide it into culture areas that represent important geographical and ecological circumstances.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lewis is in many ways the heir to Milton and Spenser, making serious work about religious themes and attempting to comprehend the universe through theological eyes.

The Guardian - Books

Increased knowledge of the Middle Ages and greater sophistication regarding the constructs (and periods) that scholars have created in attempting to comprehend the past have sparked the search for appropriate terms to describe human institutions and societies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempt to comprehend" when you want to emphasize the effort or process of trying to understand something complex or challenging. It can convey a sense of intellectual rigor.

Common error

Avoid using "attempt to comprehend" when a simpler phrase like "try to understand" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempt to comprehend" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase to express an action or intention. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes the act of trying to understand something, often implying complexity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempt to comprehend" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that expresses the effort to understand something complex. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. While alternatives like "try to understand" exist, "attempt to comprehend" carries a slightly more formal tone and emphasizes the effort involved. Its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, highlights its suitability for academic, news, and professional writing. When considering the usage of this phrase, bear in mind it's better suited for complex subjects and formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to understand

Replaces "comprehend" with the synonym "understand".

try to comprehend

Replaces "attempt" with the synonym "try".

seek to comprehend

Replaces "attempt" with the more formal "seek".

make an effort to comprehend

Expands the phrase to emphasize the exertion of effort.

strive to comprehend

Replaces "attempt" with "strive", suggesting a greater effort.

aim to comprehend

Replaces "attempt" with "aim", indicating an intention.

endeavor to comprehend

Replaces "attempt" with the more formal "endeavor".

struggle to comprehend

Emphasizes the difficulty of the act of comprehension.

undertake to comprehend

Replaces "attempt" with "undertake", suggesting a more deliberate approach.

venture to comprehend

Replaces "attempt" with "venture", suggesting a tentative approach.

FAQs

How can I use "attempt to comprehend" in a sentence?

You can use "attempt to comprehend" to describe the action of trying to understand something complex. For example, "The researcher made an "attempt to comprehend" the intricate workings of the quantum world."

What are some alternatives to "attempt to comprehend"?

Some alternatives to "attempt to comprehend" include "attempt to understand", "try to comprehend", or "seek to comprehend", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "attempt to comprehend" formal or informal?

"Attempt to comprehend" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversation, "try to understand" might be more appropriate, while "attempt to comprehend" is suitable for academic or professional writing.

When is it best to use "attempt to comprehend" over "try to understand"?

Use "attempt to comprehend" when you wish to highlight the effort involved in understanding something complex or abstract. "Try to understand" is a more general and less emphatic phrase.