attempts to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempts to comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to understand or grasp a concept, idea, or situation. Example: "The scientist makes several attempts to comprehend the complex behavior of the particles in the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 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

I also read Camus and Sartre, who taught me the futility of our attempts to comprehend the absurd nature of existence, an idea I felt was tailor-made for someone drawing funny pictures for a living.

The New Yorker

A collaboration with Silas Reiner (who, like Mr. Mitchell, was a member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company) and the poet Anne Carson, "Nox" borrows from Ms. Carson's book of the same title to produce a haunting meditation on language, loss and our attempts to comprehend the incomprehensible.

The New York Times - Arts

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 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

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

Consider using synonyms like "seeks to understand" or "tries to fathom" for variety and to avoid repetition in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "attempts to comprehend" when a simpler term like "understand" suffices. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempts to comprehend" functions as a purpose connector, linking an action or effort with the goal of understanding something. As seen in Ludwig, it indicates a deliberate striving for comprehension in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempts to comprehend" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes efforts to understand something, particularly when it is challenging. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While there are many alternative phrases, such as "seeks to understand" or "tries to make sense of", "attempts to comprehend" emphasizes the effort involved. When using the phrase, ensure that the subject is clearly defined and consider whether a simpler term like "understand" might suffice for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeks to understand

Uses a more direct verb, "understand", replacing the more formal "comprehend".

endeavors to grasp

Replaces "attempts" with a more formal synonym, and "comprehend" with "grasp", indicating a strong effort to understand.

tries to make sense of

Emphasizes the process of finding meaning or coherence, rather than a purely intellectual understanding.

aims to apprehend

Uses "apprehend" as a more formal synonym for "comprehend", focusing on grasping the essence of something.

exerts effort to grasp

Highlights the exertion involved in the attempt to understand.

strives to fathom

Employs a more evocative verb, "fathom", suggesting an effort to understand something deep or mysterious.

works to decipher

Suggests an effort to interpret something complex or obscure.

makes an effort to discern

Focuses on the act of distinguishing or recognizing something, implying careful attention.

undertakes to unravel

Implies a process of disentangling or resolving a complex issue in order to understand it.

dedicates energy to understanding

Emphasizes the commitment of resources towards achieving comprehension.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempts to comprehend" to describe efforts to understand something complex. For example, "The research team's "attempts to comprehend" the phenomenon led to a breakthrough."

What are some alternatives to "attempts to comprehend"?

Some alternatives include "seeks to understand", "tries to make sense of", or "strives to fathom", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "attempts at comprehending" grammatically correct instead of "attempts to comprehend"?

While "attempts at comprehending" is grammatically correct, ""attempts to comprehend"" is generally preferred for its directness and clarity.

When should I use "attempts to comprehend" instead of simply "understanding"?

Use ""attempts to comprehend"" when you want to emphasize the effort or process involved in trying to understand something, particularly when it is challenging or complex.