endeavoring to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "endeavoring to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an effort or attempt to comprehend something, often in a thoughtful or serious context. Example: "In our discussions, we are endeavoring to understand the complexities of the issue at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Instead, conceiving is a matter of manipulating unconscious mental imagery so as to let concretely pictured physical objects and situations stand in for the more abstract objects and situations we're endeavoring to understand.

SEP

Just doing the commandments, without endeavoring to understand them, will leave us fighting an endless, fruitless war against our stiff-necked evil inclinations because such observance does NOT change an individual.

Huffington Post

Work endeavoring to understand the overall growth of hyphae dates back at least a century.

Eukaryotic Cell

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was a clarifying moment for all who have endeavored to understand Trump.

The New Yorker

Furthermore, this study endeavors to understand student learning attitudes and learning satisfaction regarding the WebQuest model.

Computers & Education

Therefore, this study endeavors to understand how the early childhood teachers in four Chinese societies - Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Singapore, and Taipei - are compensated.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

As neuroscientists endeavor to understand the brain's response to ecologically valid scenarios, many are leaving behind hyper-controlled paradigms in favor of more realistic ones.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

In the past two decades, researchers have endeavored to understand the physiological and molecular mechanisms of Ni uptake, transport, and detoxification in the Ni-hyperaccumulator plants.

Advances in Agronomy

Regarding argumentation, for instance, Kelly and Bazerman (2003) endeavored to understand the ways students engaged in the scientific reasoning associate general theoretical claims to complete data in making evidence.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

In this study, we endeavored to understand the consistency of the relationship in the fragmented natural landscapes in the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya in northeast India, with Adinandra griffithii (an endangered endemic tree) as a model species.

Ecological Processes

She endeavored to understand.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "endeavoring to understand", consider the tone you wish to convey. It suggests a serious and thoughtful attempt at comprehension, making it suitable for academic or formal contexts. For less formal situations, consider alternatives like "trying to understand".

Common error

Avoid using "endeavoring to understand" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formality can sound stilted or pretentious in settings where simpler language would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "endeavoring to understand" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as part of a verb phrase to describe an ongoing effort or process. As per Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "endeavoring to understand" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase that expresses a sincere and thoughtful attempt to comprehend something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare in overall usage, it's most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating a formal register. When choosing this phrase, consider the tone and audience, opting for simpler alternatives like "trying to understand" in more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempting to comprehend

This alternative uses 'attempting' for 'endeavoring' which implies a direct and possibly simpler effort to understand.

striving to grasp

This alternative replaces 'endeavoring' with 'striving', suggesting a more forceful and dedicated effort.

seeking to understand

This alternative replaces 'endeavoring' with 'seeking', indicating a deliberate and active pursuit of understanding.

trying to fathom

This option uses 'fathom', suggesting an attempt to deeply understand something complex or mysterious.

working to decipher

Using 'decipher' implies attempting to understand something that is encoded or difficult to interpret.

aiming to apprehend

This uses 'apprehend', which emphasizes grasping the full scope or nature of something.

making an effort to understand

This is a more explicit and less formal way of conveying the same meaning.

exerting oneself to comprehend

This alternative emphasizes the effort and energy expended in the act of understanding.

dedicating oneself to understanding

This option highlights a committed and sustained effort toward gaining understanding.

committing to a better understanding of

This expresses a firm decision and dedication to deepen comprehension.

FAQs

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

You can use "endeavoring to understand" to describe a deliberate and thoughtful attempt to comprehend something. For example: "The researchers are endeavoring to understand the underlying causes of the disease."

What are some alternatives to "endeavoring to understand"?

You can use alternatives like "attempting to comprehend", "seeking to understand", or "trying to fathom" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "endeavoring to understand" too formal for everyday language?

Yes, "endeavoring to understand" is quite formal. In most everyday conversations, phrases like "trying to understand" or "working to understand" would sound more natural.

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

"Endeavoring to understand" implies a more serious, dedicated, and possibly prolonged effort than "trying to understand", which suggests a more general or casual attempt.