extract meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

"extract meaning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of discovering or deciphering the significance or implications of a particular phrase, sentence or text. For example, "He tried to extract meaning from the passage in order to better understand the author's main point."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

As we sleep, our brains replay, process, learn, and extract meaning.

The New Yorker

There is debate over whether systems like Cyc will be the driving force behind Web 3.0 or whether intelligence will emerge in a more organic fashion, from technologies that systematically extract meaning from the existing Web.

The New York Times

These hectic, unfocused clips stand in jarring, pointed contrast to the neatly composed frames and carefully paced shots that make up most of Mr. Haggis's film, and they pose an agonizing challenge: How do you extract meaning from such chaos?

The New York Times

Integrate data to extract meaning.

Forbes

Its machine-learning software is able to extract meaning from everyday communications.

Forbes

It automatically extract meaning from thousands of customer messages as they arrive in real time.

TechCrunch

The product's ability to measure and extract meaning from reactions has applications for content creators in advertising, publishing, retail, and more.

Forbes

Last August, the company publicly debuted its first APIs, which allow developers to build apps that can automatically extract meaning from web pages.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The machine extracts "meaning" from vast quantities of what computer scientists call unstructured data, which essentially means anything designed to be consumed by humans rather than computers.

The Economist

His pioneering work on how the brain extracts meaning from sights and sounds made it possible to restore sight to the blind.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Taking the opposite perspective, some environmentalists have argued that virtually none of the oil handled by Keystone XL would otherwise be extracted, meaning that one hundred per cent of the emissions should be counted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about data analysis, use "extract meaning" to emphasize the process of finding relevant insights and patterns. For example, "The analysts used advanced algorithms to "extract meaning" from the customer feedback data."

Common error

While "extract meaning" is appropriate for complex analysis, avoid using it when simpler terms like 'understand' or 'interpret' suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious. For example, instead of "He tried to "extract meaning" from the instructions", use "He tried to understand the instructions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extract meaning" functions as a verb phrase, where "extract" is the verb and "meaning" is the direct object. It describes the action of actively deriving understanding or significance from something. Ludwig shows its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

24%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extract meaning" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the process of actively deriving understanding or significance from information. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in formal and analytical writing. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science-related contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing "extract meaning" in simple everyday conversations where simpler alternatives like "understand" or "interpret" might be more fitting, in order to avoid sounding pretentious. Related phrases include "derive significance", "glean insight", and "interpret data", each offering a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make sense of

Is a more general and less formal way of expressing understanding.

derive significance

Focuses more on the importance or value obtained, rather than just understanding.

grasp the significance

Emphasizes understanding the importance of something.

glean insight

Suggests a more gradual or subtle process of discovery.

determine the implication

Highlights the consequential aspect of understanding.

interpret data

Specifically refers to understanding numerical or factual information.

find the essence

Focuses on identifying the core, fundamental aspect of something.

decipher the message

Implies a coded or unclear communication that needs solving.

uncover the truth

Suggests a process of revealing something hidden or obscured.

understand the gist

Focuses on grasping the main idea rather than a detailed interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "extract meaning" in a sentence?

You can use "extract meaning" to describe the process of understanding or interpreting something, often from complex data or information. For example, "The researchers used machine learning to "extract meaning" from large datasets."

What's the difference between "extract meaning" and "derive meaning"?

"Extract meaning" emphasizes the process of actively pulling out relevant information, while "derive meaning" suggests a more passive reception or consequence of analysis. Both phrases are similar, but "extract" implies a more deliberate effort.

What are some synonyms for "extract meaning"?

Alternatives include "interpret data", "decipher the message", or "make sense of depending" on the context and level of formality.

Is it always appropriate to use "extract meaning" in my writing?

While grammatically correct, "extract meaning" is best suited for contexts involving data analysis, complex texts, or situations where understanding requires significant effort. In simpler contexts, using words like "understand" or "interpret" might be more appropriate.