deciphering

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "deciphering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about the process of trying to understand and make sense of something written in a code or secret language. For example: "It took us several hours of deciphering to finally figure out the hidden messages of the ancient text."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mike German, a former FBI agent, who assisted the Guardian in deciphering the bureau's documentation, said they indicated the agency had opened a category of investigation that is known in agency parlance as an "assessment".

The Guardian

Even then, as he tells me, reading the entire text of Beauty was "like playing detective or like deciphering a lost language.

The Guardian

With a little effort, a remote attacker could retrieve the keys to the castle of secure web connections, deciphering data that browsers and servers had encrypted.

The Economist

A library's-worth of conspiracy theories has never explained his disappearance.In this section Dealing with the enemy Slip and slide Boat against the current Homeward bound Deciphering the da Vinci code A hinterland beauty ReprintsThe secret in Thompson's background and source of many of the conspiracy theories was of the spooky variety.

The Economist

The Walton Family Foundation gave the museum a $1.2 billion endowment and Ms Walton and the museum have been on something of a buying spree for several years.In this section Dealing with the enemy Slip and slide Boat against the current Homeward bound Deciphering the da Vinci code A hinterland beauty ReprintsThe museum is not simply Ms Walton's own private collection.

The Economist

Some 90 years later, the book still defies deciphering.

The Economist

"Is it worth it?" Yes it is.Read more: "Deciphering the da Vinci code" (Nov 2011).

The Economist

Those who cannot understand Korean will have no difficulty in deciphering their rough intent.

The Economist

Already, devices for separating DNA quickly and with high efficiency have proved a useful tool in deciphering the store of information carried in the human genome.

The Economist

This would build on the original Human Genome Project by deciphering the genomes of microbes living in all parts of the human body.

The Economist

When Mr Kerry gave a long-winded answer to a question about abortion, for instance, Mr Bush said he was having trouble deciphering his opponent's reply, then stated his own opposition to partial-birth abortions, briefly and clearly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deciphering", ensure that the context involves something that is not immediately obvious and requires careful analysis or interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "deciphering" when simpler terms like "understanding" or "reading" suffice. "Deciphering" is best reserved for situations involving codes, complex texts, or hidden meanings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deciphering" is that of a verb, often used as a present participle or gerund. As Ludwig AI shows, it describes the action of interpreting or understanding something complex or obscure. For instance, ""deciphering" a code" or ""deciphering" ancient texts".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deciphering" is a verb form used to describe the process of understanding something complex or coded. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it should be reserved for situations that genuinely require careful analysis, differentiating it from simpler terms like "understanding". Related phrases such as "interpreting" and "decoding" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decoding

Implies converting a coded message into an understandable form, often more technical.

interpreting

Focuses on understanding the meaning or significance of something, often in a more subjective context.

making sense of

Implies bringing order or clarity to something confusing or ambiguous.

unraveling

Suggests discovering or solving something complicated or mysterious through careful analysis.

understanding

A broader term that encompasses grasping the meaning or nature of something.

analyzing

Implies examining something methodically to understand its nature or elements.

figuring out

An informal way of saying to discover or solve something.

solving

Focuses on finding a solution to a problem or mystery.

translating

Focuses on converting something from one language or form to another, often implying a literal transformation.

explaining

Involves making something clear or understandable, often to others.

FAQs

How to use "deciphering" in a sentence?

"Deciphering" typically describes the action of interpreting something complex or coded. For example, "The historian spent years "deciphering" the ancient hieroglyphs."

What can I say instead of "deciphering"?

You can use alternatives like "interpreting", "decoding", or "unraveling" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "deciphering" and "decoding"?

"Deciphering" often refers to understanding something with a hidden meaning or unclear presentation, whereas "decoding" more specifically refers to converting a coded message into understandable language.

Which is correct, "deciphering the code" or "decoding the code"?

Both phrases are correct, but "decoding the code" is often used when referring to a literal coded message, while "deciphering the code" might be used more broadly for understanding a complex system.