get them to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get them to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of helping or persuading someone to comprehend a concept or idea. Example: "The teacher worked hard to get them to understand the complex topic of algebra."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"We try to get them to understand what they are part of," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The cure is to get them to understand what money means to them.

The New York Times

So the general had to get them to understand that success was something different now.

The Guardian

That's been a hard thing for me -- my challenge to get them to understand that".

The New York Times - Sports

The third element was working with some of our junior athletes to get them to understand the multi-sport environment".

Independent

I was begging, pleading and pushing, trying to get them to understand, this is five minutes, let's play better.

The New York Times - Sports

We would have had discussions until we were blue in the face trying to get them to understand these things.

The Guardian - Sport

it is an uphill battle to get them to understand that essay writing is not the same as email.

The New York Times - Tech

Yet, when he had tried once to get them to understand this, they had refused to demand more collectively.

The New Yorker

"You go back to the organization and try to get them to understand that we just can't keep growing seasons.

The New York Times

"People make very quick decisions and you have to get them to understand what you do quickly," he adds.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get them to understand", ensure that the context clearly indicates who 'them' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

In formal or academic writing, using more sophisticated alternatives such as "facilitate their comprehension" or "elucidate the matter for them" can enhance the tone and demonstrate a broader vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get them to understand" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as a verb phrase to express the action of causing or helping someone to comprehend something. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get them to understand" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey the act of helping or causing someone to comprehend something. According to Ludwig, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase. In formal settings, alternatives like "facilitate their comprehension" or "elucidate the matter for them" may be more appropriate. Using clear and specific language can further enhance communication. Remember to ensure clarity by explicitly stating who "them" refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring them to an understanding of

A more formal and elaborate way of expressing the main query.

help them grasp

Focuses on assisting in understanding, emphasizing ease of comprehension.

assist their comprehension of

Highlights the active role of helping someone comprehend a subject.

make them aware of

Highlights the act of informing, rather than ensuring full understanding.

clarify for them

Emphasizes removing confusion and making something clear.

enable them to comprehend

Emphasizes providing the means or opportunity for understanding.

elucidate to them

A more formal way of saying to explain something clearly, often to a specific point.

get across to them

Focuses on successfully communicating a message or idea.

impart to them

Highlights the act of conveying knowledge or information.

inculcate in them

Focuses on instilling an idea or habit through repetition.

FAQs

How can I use "get them to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "get them to understand" to express the act of helping someone to comprehend a concept. For example, "The teacher worked hard to get them to understand the complex topic of algebra".

What are some alternatives to "get them to understand"?

Alternatives include "help them grasp", "make them aware of", or "clarify for them", depending on the specific context.

Is "get them to understand" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "get them to understand" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "facilitate their comprehension" or "elucidate the matter for them".

What's the difference between "get them to understand" and "make them aware of"?

"Get them to understand" implies helping someone fully comprehend something, while "make them aware of" simply means informing them about it. The former suggests a deeper level of comprehension.