make an effort to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make an effort to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used whenever you want to express the idea of making a conscious attempt to figure something out or to comprehend a particular situation. For example: "If you don't understand why Dave is so upset, try to make an effort to understand the situation before reacting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

More to the point, I didn't see why I should make an effort to understand them.

The Guardian

Just 9% of respondents believe their team members make an effort to understand different perspectives.

Harvard Business Review

Make an effort to understand them the pressures they face, the objectives they have to fulfill.

Harvard Business Review

But if they really want to send Trump and the Republicans packing, they will make an effort to understand.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Over the years I've seen him work with black leaders and really try to make an effort to understand and help the community.

The New York Times

Michael DuVally, a spokesman for Goldman Sachs, told me, "Our sales teams naturally make an effort to understand how client trading strategies perform over time.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Indeed, even just making an effort to understand a business partner's language can increase trust.

The Economist

In conversations, he made an effort to understand what mattered most to them.

Harvard University

The New Yorker, April 13 , 1929P. 27 Drunken man makes an effort to understand the play.

The New Yorker

Seeing a painting in a museum and making an effort to understand it was enough of a responsibility.

The New Yorker

By E. B. White The New Yorker, April 13 , 1929P. 27 Drunken man makes an effort to understand the play.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an effort to understand", ensure that you genuinely show curiosity and openness to the other person's perspective to facilitate better communication.

Common error

Avoid prematurely concluding that you understand something without actively listening and considering different perspectives. Genuine understanding requires conscious effort and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an effort to understand" functions as a directive, urging oneself or others to actively engage in the process of comprehension. As Ludwig highlights, this involves more than passive listening; it requires conscious engagement and consideration of different perspectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

24%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make an effort to understand" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that encourages active engagement in comprehension. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase serves as a directive, urging both self and others to actively seek understanding, as exemplified in various contexts ranging from interpersonal relationships to global dynamics. Its frequent occurrence across News & Media and Academic sources, among others, underscores its versatility and importance in promoting empathy and effective communication. The expression highlights the importance of conscious engagement and consideration of varied perspectives. Remember, genuine comprehension requires more than passive listening; it demands deliberate and sustained effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an attempt to understand

Directly substitutes 'effort' with 'attempt', maintaining the core meaning but with slightly less emphasis.

take pains to understand

Indicates putting in considerable effort and care to achieve understanding.

strive to comprehend

Emphasizes the persistent and determined aspect of understanding.

aim to comprehend

Highlights the intention and goal of achieving understanding.

endeavor to grasp

Highlights a serious and determined attempt to understand, often in complex situations.

work towards understanding

Suggests a gradual process of gaining understanding through sustained effort.

try to fathom

Suggests attempting to understand something mysterious or complex.

seek to appreciate

Focuses on understanding with the added element of valuing and respecting.

devote oneself to understanding

Emphasizes dedication and commitment to achieving deep understanding.

incline oneself to understand

Suggests a willingness and openness to understanding, more formal.

FAQs

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

You can use "make an effort to understand" to encourage empathy and comprehension, such as: "We should all "make an effort to understand" different cultures to foster better global relations."

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

Alternatives include "strive to comprehend", "endeavor to grasp", or "try to fathom", depending on the context and the depth of understanding you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "make an effort to understand" or "try to understand"?

"Make an effort to understand" emphasizes a committed and intentional approach to understanding, while "try to understand" simply indicates an attempt. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "make an effort to understand" and "seek to understand"?

"Make an effort to understand" focuses on the action and exertion involved, while "seek to understand" highlights the active pursuit of knowledge and comprehension.