in an effort to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in an effort to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when explaining the purpose behind an action or inquiry aimed at gaining clarity or insight. Example: "The researchers conducted interviews in an effort to understand the participants' experiences during the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In an effort to understand these complex systems chemists have understandably attempted to minimize complexity.

Coordination Chemistry Reviews

"Write about what you need to know, in an effort to understand".

The New York Times

It comes from endless hours of trial and error in an effort to understand our audience.

The Economist

You can help scientists categorize the calls of orcas, in an effort to understand what the aquatic mammals are saying.

The New Yorker

Each city will be followed closely for a year, in an effort to understand what makes social enterprise thrive.

The Guardian

In an effort to understand life as a prey animal, he had himself hunted by a bloodhound named Monty.

The New Yorker

The military has long done threat assessments, mainly in an effort to understand the probable success of tactics and attacks.

The New York Times

In an effort to understand my son's passion, fueled by his father's enthusiasm, I decided to educate myself.

The New York Times - Sports

Unsteady state measurements were also obtained in an effort to understand gas dispersion in the stripper.

Chemical Engineering Science

In this study, an objective TSA measurement method is developed in an effort to understand TSA.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

Donald Hebb in an effort to understand the behavior of the human brain introduced the term "cell assembly".

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in an effort to understand" to clearly state the purpose of an action, especially when explaining research methodologies or problem-solving approaches.

Common error

Avoid using "in an effort to understand" when the context already implies understanding is the goal. For example, instead of saying "We studied the data in an effort to understand the trends", consider "We studied the data to understand the trends" or "We studied the data to identify trends".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an effort to understand" functions as an introductory phrase that sets the stage for explaining the purpose or motivation behind an action. It connects an action with the goal of achieving comprehension. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in an effort to understand" serves as a versatile tool for articulating intentions behind actions aimed at gaining comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse fields, particularly in science and news media. While highly useful, avoiding redundancy and choosing more concise alternatives when appropriate will enhance clarity and conciseness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with the aim of understanding

This alternative emphasizes the intention or goal behind the effort.

in order to gain understanding

This is a more formal phrasing that specifies that understanding is the objective.

seeking to understand

This alternative uses a more active verb, highlighting the process of seeking knowledge.

striving for comprehension

This option emphasizes the difficulty or effort involved in achieving understanding.

working towards understanding

This option highlights that effort requires iterative application of methods and reflection.

to better comprehend

This is a more concise and direct way of expressing the intent to understand something more fully.

with a view to understanding

This alternative offers a slightly more formal tone, suggesting a deliberate and considered approach.

as a means of understanding

This alternative highlights that effort is a tool.

desiring to grasp

This option is more concise. It also conveys a sense of longing for clarity.

motivated by the need to understand

This option is more explicit about the underlying motivation driving the effort.

FAQs

How can I use "in an effort to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "in an effort to understand" to introduce the reason behind an action taken to gain knowledge or clarity about a subject. For instance, "The scientists conducted experiments "in an effort to understand" the effects of the new drug".

What are some alternatives to "in an effort to understand"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to gain insight into", "in order to comprehend", or "with the aim of understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "in order to understand" instead of "in an effort to understand"?

While both are appropriate, "in order to understand" tends to be slightly more formal than "in an effort to understand". The choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

When is it best to use "in an effort to understand" versus simply stating the action?

Use "in an effort to understand" when you want to emphasize the deliberate and purposeful nature of an action taken to gain understanding. If the goal of understanding is already clear from the context, a simpler phrasing may suffice.