make sense of it

USAGE SUMMARY

"make sense of it" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to understand or comprehend something. Example: "I couldn't make sense of the instructions until I read them a few times." As for when to use it, you can use this phrase in any situation where you are trying to understand something that may be confusing or unclear. Some possible examples could include: - "After reading the essay multiple times, I was finally able to make sense of the author's argument." - "Can you help me make sense of this math problem? I just can't figure it out." - "The movie had a lot of twists and turns, but by the end, everything started to make sense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Trying to make sense of it.

The New York Times

I couldn't make sense of it.

The New Yorker

How do we make sense of it?

Independent

I just couldn't make sense of it".

The New Yorker

Does he make sense of it all?

The Guardian - Books

They try to make sense of it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Can we make sense of it?

The Guardian

She can't make sense of it.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm trying to make sense of it".

The New York Times

How else to make sense of it?

The Guardian

You can't make sense of it".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make sense of it" when you want to convey the process of understanding something that is initially unclear or confusing. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "make sense of it" when a more direct verb like 'understand' would suffice. The phrase is best suited for situations involving complexity or initial confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make sense of it" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of understanding or interpreting something. Ludwig examples show it's commonly used when confronting complex or confusing information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make sense of it" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the process of understanding or interpreting something, especially when the subject is initially confusing or complex. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in the News & Media. When writing, remember that while versatile, this phrase is best reserved for situations where straightforward comprehension isn't enough and cognitive effort is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand it

Focuses on the comprehension aspect, omitting the 'making' process.

comprehend it

A more formal synonym, emphasizing thorough understanding.

figure it out

Suggests a process of discovery and problem-solving to achieve understanding.

decipher it

Implies that something is encoded or difficult to understand initially.

get to the bottom of it

Focuses on uncovering the truth or core meaning behind something.

interpret it

Highlights the subjective process of assigning meaning.

grasp its meaning

Emphasizes the intellectual act of seizing or capturing the significance.

find meaning in it

Focuses on extracting or discovering value or purpose.

elucidate it

Suggests clarifying or shedding light on something obscure.

make head or tail of it

An idiomatic expression for understanding something complex or confusing.

FAQs

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

You can use "make sense of it" to describe the process of understanding something complex or confusing. For example, "I'm trying to make sense of the new policy changes."

What's a simple alternative to "make sense of it"?

A simpler alternative to "make sense of it" is to use "understand it".

Is it always necessary to "make sense of it"?

While understanding is generally desirable, "make sense of it" is specifically used when there's an initial lack of clarity or confusion that needs to be resolved through cognitive effort.

Can you "make sense of it" immediately?

Not always. The phrase "make sense of it" often implies a process that requires time, effort, or additional information to achieve understanding.