make sense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make sense of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe the act of understanding something complicated or difficult. For example, "The professor asked us to make sense of the confusing new regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Trying to make sense of it.

The New York Times

How to make sense of these two?

The New Yorker

"They want to make sense of China".

The New York Times

We will make sense of this".

The New York Times

I couldn't make sense of it.

The New Yorker

How should we make sense of this?

The New Yorker

How do we make sense of it?

Independent

"Let's make sense of this.

The Guardian - Sport

* Make sense of other properties.

The New York Times

I just couldn't make sense of it".

The New Yorker

Stuff I couldn't really make sense of.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "understand", "comprehend", or "interpret" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "make sense of" in very simple contexts where "understand" is more direct and appropriate. The phrase is best reserved for situations where understanding requires effort or insight.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "make sense of" is as a phrasal verb. It acts as a predicate in sentences, expressing the action of understanding or interpreting something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed used to describe the act of understanding something complicated or difficult, a fact also highlighted in various Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make sense of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to express the act of understanding or interpreting something complex. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Academia and Science contexts, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for various writing styles. Remember to use this phrase when describing the process of understanding intricate details. Finally, for variety and precision, consider using synonyms such as "understand", "comprehend", or "interpret" to enrich your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand

Emphasizes comprehending the meaning or nature of something.

comprehend

Highlights a thorough grasp or understanding of something complex.

interpret

Focuses on explaining or understanding the meaning of something.

decipher

Implies uncovering the meaning of something obscure or difficult to understand.

figure out

Suggests finding a solution to a problem or understanding a situation.

grasp

Highlights a firm understanding or control of something.

make heads or tails of

An idiomatic expression for understanding something confusing.

get to the bottom of

Implies discovering the underlying cause or truth of something.

resolve

Focuses on finding a solution to a problem or clearing up confusion.

elucidate

Emphasizes making something clear or easy to understand.

FAQs

How can I use "make sense of" in a sentence?

You can use "make sense of" to describe the act of understanding something complex. For example, "I'm trying to "figure out" how to "make sense of" this data."

What can I say instead of "make sense of"?

You can use alternatives like "understand", "comprehend", or "interpret" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "make sense of" and "understand"?

"Make sense of" often implies a process of actively trying to understand something complicated, while "understand" can refer to a more immediate comprehension.

Is it ever incorrect to use "make sense of"?

While generally correct, overuse in simple contexts can sound unnatural. Opt for simpler terms like "understand" when the subject matter isn't particularly complex.