attempting to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempting to comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts to understand something complex or difficult. Example: "The researchers are attempting to comprehend the intricate relationship between climate change and biodiversity loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

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

"He would then watch the fruits of his labour unfold, as absolute chaos ensued across the wards as colleagues fought to save patients whilst attempting to comprehend what was happening".

The Guardian

Here then is another napkin calculation that should spring immediately to the mind of anyone attempting to comprehend this issue: if I follow just ten blogs or people posting at that rate, that's a hundred items every day that would supposedly need to find their way into my Facebook news feed.

TechCrunch

He tried to achieve an "unlovely physicality" in "The Body" to portray the upsetting minutiae involved in attempting to comprehend what is incomprehensible.

Wikipedia

When not attempting to comprehend the wounded psyches of community college students, she rides her horses and competes in Competitive Trail events.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

With moderate levels of distraction few participants actually report being distracted, rather they report being bored an uninterested with the material they are attempting to comprehended (Damrad-Frye & Laird, 1989).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Nevertheless, it is bothersome that analyses of the characters in Half of a Yellow Sun have mostly, and predictably, attempted to comprehend its female lead – Olanna – neglecting the book's most memorable character in the process.

The Guardian - Books

Not only does she manage to nail the character's full fronted, leather jacket wearing, do-what-I-want attitude, she also gets the waterworks going in the tender, lonely moments when Jessica attempts to comprehend the disaster that is her life.

Independent

This research attempts to comprehend the traits and behaviors of vocational high school principals in implementing curriculum reform.

International Journal of Educational Development

It indicated that learners attempted to comprehend the learning contents and pointed to both clear and unclear parts in the slide that they read for this duration.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempting to comprehend" when you want to emphasize the active and ongoing nature of trying to understand something complex, particularly when the outcome is uncertain. For example, use it when talking about researchers exploring complex topics.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences such that the object being comprehended is the subject of the sentence. This often results in a weaker, less direct statement. For example, instead of "The theory is attempting to be comprehended", write "Researchers are attempting to comprehend the theory."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempting to comprehend" functions as a gerund phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe an action in progress. It indicates the act of actively trying to understand something complex, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempting to comprehend" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates an ongoing effort to understand something complex. Ludwig shows that while it is appropriate for various contexts, it appears more often in news, science and encyclopedic writing, indicating a neutral to formal register. It's crucial to use the active voice for clarity and choose synonyms like "trying to understand" or "seeking to understand" to best fit the tone and audience. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability, highlighting its role in conveying intention and effort in understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying to understand

This alternative is a more common and general way to express the act of seeking understanding.

seeking to understand

This alternative uses a more formal verb, "seeking", which implies a deliberate and conscious effort.

striving to grasp

This alternative suggests a greater degree of effort and difficulty in achieving understanding.

endeavoring to apprehend

This option is more formal and emphasizes the intellectual aspect of gaining knowledge.

working to decipher

This phrase implies that the subject requires careful and methodical analysis to be understood.

aiming to interpret

This alternative focuses on the process of explaining or giving meaning to something.

making an effort to perceive

This option emphasizes the initial stage of awareness and recognition.

undertaking to fathom

This alternative suggests exploring the depths of a complex subject matter.

setting out to decode

This implies unveiling something hidden or encoded.

venturing to unravel

Suggests an exploratory approach to understanding something intricate or tangled.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempting to comprehend" to describe an ongoing effort to understand something complex. For example: "The students are "attempting to comprehend" the intricacies of quantum physics".

What are some alternatives to "attempting to comprehend"?

Some alternatives to "attempting to comprehend" include "trying to understand", "seeking to understand", or "striving to grasp". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "attempting to comprehend" or "attempting to understand"?

"Attempting to comprehend" and "attempting to understand" are both grammatically correct, but "attempting to comprehend" is a bit more formal. "Understand" is more common in everyday language, while "comprehend" often implies a deeper or more thorough level of understanding.

What's the difference between "attempting to comprehend" and "attempting to grasp"?

"Attempting to comprehend" suggests a focus on intellectual understanding, while "attempting to grasp" implies trying to get a firm hold of something, often a concept or idea. "Attempting to grasp" can also mean gaining initial understanding, while "attempting to comprehend" suggests a more sustained effort to get to the bottom of something.