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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
attempting to understand
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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.
Science
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
He was busy pitching, fighting, attempting to understand himself, and his fate.
News & Media
Attempting to understand a tragedy is, in a way, an impossible pursuit.
News & Media
Attempting to understand this strange malady, I plunged into intensive research shortly after my recovery.
News & Media
Logical and measured, he sets the context for attempting to understand what is changing in policing.
News & Media
A novel is a good platform for attempting to understand this sector of society.
News & Media
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.
Academia
However, nothing is simple when attempting to understand the subtleties of anomalies.
Academia
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
trying to comprehend
Replaces "attempting" with "trying" and "understand" with "comprehend", slightly less formal.
seeking to grasp
Emphasizes the active search for understanding, using "grasp" to denote comprehension.
endeavoring to fathom
Uses more formal vocabulary, with "endeavoring" and "fathom" indicating a deeper, more concerted effort to understand.
working to decipher
Suggests the process of unraveling something complex or obscure to understand it.
striving to interpret
Focuses on the effort to find meaning or significance in something.
aiming to unravel
Highlights the intention to disentangle or resolve a complex issue in order to understand it.
exploring to perceive
Suggests a more investigative approach to understanding, emphasizing observation and discovery.
analyzing to learn
Focuses on breaking down information into smaller parts in order to gain knowledge and understanding.
researching to determine
Highlights a systematic investigation to establish or confirm an understanding.
probing to appreciate
Suggests a thorough investigation to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of something.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested