attempts to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attempts to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts made to comprehend a concept, situation, or perspective. Example: "The researcher makes several attempts to understand the cultural differences that influence communication styles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This consideration prompted attempts to understand experience in broader terms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Functional genomics attempts to understand function at the broadest level (the genomic level).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Queuing theory had its origins in attempts to understand traffic in telephone systems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In "Fear Not," a writer attempts to understand a woman's mysterious relationship with her son.

The New York Times - Books

There is no shortage of research that attempts to understand what makes Millennials tick.

The Economist

At its core, neuroeconomics attempts to understand the neural basis of economic decision making.

The Guardian

Paula Byrne attempts to understand Jane Austen's life by examining her possessions.

The New Yorker

He exhibits himself as a freak, and laughs at medical or philosophical attempts to understand him.

The Guardian - Arts

Attempts to understand and predict tides are said to have driven Aristotle to distraction.

The Guardian - Books

"More complexity, more informed analysis, more attempts to understand, more details about everyday life".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A New York Times culture reporter ­attempts to understand his father's addiction.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attempts to understand", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject or concept being understood. For example, "Scientists are making attempts to understand the effects of climate change."

Common error

Avoid using "attempts to understand" in overly passive voice constructions that obscure who is making the attempt. Instead of "Attempts to understand were made", specify who made the attempts: "Researchers made attempts to understand."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attempts to understand" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action or process of trying to gain comprehension. It highlights the effort being made to grasp a concept or situation, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attempts to understand" is a frequently used verb phrase that effectively conveys the effort and process of seeking comprehension. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially in academic, scientific, and news-related content. While alternatives like "strives to comprehend" or "aims to understand" exist, "attempts to understand" remains a clear and widely accepted choice. Remember to clearly identify the subject of understanding to avoid ambiguity and to ensure your writing is concise and informative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strives to comprehend

Emphasizes a dedicated effort toward understanding.

endeavors to grasp

Highlights the attempt to seize or capture understanding.

seeks to comprehend

Focuses on the act of searching for understanding.

aims to understand

Implies a goal-oriented approach to achieving understanding.

tries to fathom

Suggests an effort to penetrate or deeply understand something complex.

works to decipher

Highlights the process of unraveling or interpreting something to gain understanding.

exerts effort to understand

Explicitly states the application of effort in the pursuit of understanding.

undertakes to comprehend

Implies a formal or committed effort to understand.

explores to understand

Underscores the investigatory nature of understanding.

analyzes to understand

Emphasizes a methodical approach to gaining understanding through examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "attempts to understand" to describe efforts made to comprehend a subject, for example: "The study documents "attempts to understand" consumer behavior".

What are some alternatives to "attempts to understand"?

Alternatives include phrases like "strives to comprehend", "aims to understand", or "seeks to comprehend", which can add variety to your writing.

Is it better to use "attempt to understand" or "attempts to understand"?

Use "attempt to understand" for a singular effort and "attempts to understand" for multiple or repeated efforts. For example, "Her attempt to understand the problem failed" versus "Her attempts to understand the problem were numerous".

What's the difference between "attempts to understand" and "trying to understand"?

"Attempts to understand" suggests a more formal or sustained effort, while "trying to understand" implies a general or ongoing process. The choice depends on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey.