make full sense

USAGE SUMMARY

'make full sense' is not correct and usable in written English.
To make full sense is a phrase that is best used in spoken English. An example sentence using it in speech may be "I'm still trying to make full sense of the situation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

We need that third point in the temporary triangle to make full sense of the dynamic that keeps Alice and the captain together.

The New York Times

And we need to grasp the outlines of that argument to make full sense of a recent news report from Syria: the kidnapping of two Christian bishops in Aleppo, which has given a darker edge to the Paschal celebrations that are taking place this weekend across the Christian East.

The Economist

The final section, told in the voice of the youngest, backward son in clusters of words that also probably need to be read aloud to make full sense, completes the picture of dark machismo as the boy plots to kill his father with the help of his new-found brother.

The Economist

Some students referred to outside relevant websites when they could not easily make full sense of the required textbook.

International Journal of STEM Education

Action is analogous to discourse because, to make full sense of any action, one has to recognize that its meaning is distinguishable from its occurrence as a particular spatiotemporal event.

SEP

This suggests that participants placed in a multitasking dynamic situation may not have been able to make full sense of the change-related information contained in the CHEX table due to limited cognitive resources, making it less effective than in studies using a single-task environment.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The museum should make fuller sense of Roosevelt.

The New York Times - Arts

Any education that has a lasting impact on a child's life is ultimately experiential -- it is not found only in the nuts and bolts of the traditional classroom, but in the experiences of life outside the classroom where children make fuller sense of connections within their environment while building confidence in their own possibilities.

Huffington Post

Which among many approaches linguistic, generic, formal, sociological, psychoanalytic, and so forth is best adapted to making full sense of a text?

Encyclopedia Britannica

When he crossed the stage in the great vaulting diagonal, his ronds de jambe sautés crested the air with all the excitement that made full sense of this moment.

The New York Times - Arts

A 1990s oil painting by another Vietnamese artist, Truong Tan, of a nude male figure strapped horizontally to a cross makes full sense only when you know that it refers to trials undergone by the artist as an openly gay man in a homophobic society.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In spoken contexts or informal writing, use "make full sense" sparingly; "make sense" usually suffices.

Common error

Avoid using "make full sense" when the simpler "make sense" conveys the same meaning more clearly. The addition of "full" is often redundant and can weaken the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make full sense" functions as a verb phrase, aiming to express comprehension or understandability. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not the most appropriate choice for written English, recommending simpler and more direct alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "make full sense" appears in various sources, it's not considered the best choice for written English. Ludwig AI suggests it's more suitable for spoken language, but even then, simpler alternatives like "make sense" or "fully understand" are generally preferred. Its usage frequency is uncommon, and its presence in news and scientific contexts doesn't necessarily validate its widespread adoption. Therefore, consider alternative phrasings for clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully understand

Emphasizes complete comprehension, replacing "make sense" with a stronger verb.

completely comprehend

Similar to "fully understand" but with a more formal tone.

grasp the entirety

Focuses on understanding the whole picture or complete scope.

understand completely

Reorders the words for a slightly different emphasis on the completeness of understanding.

make complete sense

Uses complete instead of full, which is a very subtle difference.

make perfect sense

Conveys that something is entirely logical and understandable.

fully appreciate

Focuses on recognizing the significance or value, not just understanding.

get the complete picture

Uses idiomatic language to emphasize full understanding.

see the whole picture

Similar to "get the complete picture" but slightly more common.

decipher entirely

Implies overcoming difficulty in understanding.

FAQs

Is "make full sense" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "make full sense" is considered awkward and less polished than alternatives like "make sense" or "fully understand".

When should I use "make full sense"?

It's best to avoid "make full sense" in formal writing. In informal conversation, it might be acceptable, but simpler alternatives are usually preferable.

What are some alternatives to "make full sense"?

Consider using phrases like "fully understand", "completely comprehend", or simply "make sense" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "make sense" and "make full sense"?

While both phrases aim to convey understanding, "make sense" is the standard and more widely accepted form. "Make full sense" can sound redundant, as "sense" already implies a degree of completeness.