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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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attempting to understand

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempting to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the effort to comprehend a concept, situation, or someone's feelings. Example: "She is attempting to understand the complexities of human emotions in her research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Researchers are increasingly attempting to understand the differential effects of programmes in population subgroups.

Attempting to understand their actual biologic significance will require new descriptive and interpretive approaches.

But the ELA is attempting to understand more than just the nuts and bolts of languages.

News & Media

The Economist

He was busy pitching, fighting, attempting to understand himself, and his fate.

News & Media

The New York Times

Attempting to understand a tragedy is, in a way, an impossible pursuit.

News & Media

The New York Times

Attempting to understand this strange malady, I plunged into intensive research shortly after my recovery.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Logical and measured, he sets the context for attempting to understand what is changing in policing.

A novel is a good platform for attempting to understand this sector of society.

News & Media

The Guardian

I am attempting to understand how the brain consolidates memories during sleep.

But instead of attempting to understand this hissing or howling sound, he tried to abolish it.

However, nothing is simple when attempting to understand the subtleties of anomalies.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attempting to understand" when you want to emphasize the effort and process involved in gaining comprehension, especially when facing complex or challenging subjects.

Common error

Avoid using "attempting to understand" in situations where a simpler phrase like "trying to understand" or "understanding" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempting to understand" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or part of the verb phrase in a sentence. Ludwig AI's examples show it describing ongoing efforts to comprehend various subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempting to understand" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase that signifies the act of trying to comprehend something. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that it is most commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's important to consider simpler alternatives for very informal settings. The phrase conveys an active and deliberate effort to gain comprehension, often implying some complexity in the subject matter. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its wide applicability across diverse domains.

FAQs

What does "attempting to understand" mean?

The phrase "attempting to understand" describes the action of trying to comprehend something, implying effort and intention in the process of gaining knowledge or insight.

What can I say instead of "attempting to understand"?

You can use alternatives like "trying to comprehend", "seeking to grasp", or "endeavoring to fathom" depending on the context.

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

Both phrases are correct, but "attempting to understand" suggests a more formal and deliberate effort than "trying to understand". Use the former when emphasizing the complexity of the subject or the seriousness of the effort.

How to use "attempting to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "attempting to understand" as a gerund phrase to describe an ongoing action, for example: "Attempting to understand the universe is a lifelong pursuit." Or, "The scientists are "attempting to understand" the effects of climate change."

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: