make sense of the events

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make sense of the events" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of understanding or interpreting a series of occurrences or situations. Example: "After reviewing the reports, we need to make sense of the events that led to the project's failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Afterward, not even the D'Tigers could make sense of the events of the past six weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

So how to make sense of the events of the last 10 days?

The Guardian

For all its resources, the CIA cannot make sense of the events.

The Guardian - Film

How can the British make sense of the events of last Saturday?

The Guardian - Opinion

After Mass, over menudo and pan dulce, parishioners tried to make sense of the events that cascaded at the end of last week.

The New York Times

"It is an indictment that in 2015, as it looks ahead to 2020, Labour is still trying to make sense of the events of 2007".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

For the last 19 years, he has sought to make sense of the event that has haunted and dictated his life.

The New York Times

Patients and their families, grieving but desperate to make sense of the event, would find that their doctors and nurses were no longer responsive or available.

The New York Times - Health

For 19 years, Greg Ousley has sought to make sense of the event that has haunted and dictated his life, but the answer, if such a simple thing exists, has remained forever beyond his grasp.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the New York Times Magazine, Scott Anderson reports on a man who killed his parents: For 19 years, Greg Ousley has sought to make sense of the event that has haunted and dictated his life, but the answer, if such a simple thing exists, has remained forever beyond his grasp.

The New Yorker

So, as we have done with other tragedies, we slowly resist the urge to make sense of the event and shift instead to rituals of commemoration.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make sense of the events" when you want to emphasize the process of understanding a series of occurrences, especially when those occurrences are complex, confusing, or emotionally charged. For clarity, ensure the context clearly identifies which events are being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "make sense of the events" when a simpler phrase like "understand" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or dramatic in straightforward situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make sense of the events" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of trying to understand or find a coherent explanation for a series of occurrences. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used correctly in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make sense of the events" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the process of understanding a series of occurrences. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While alternatives like "understand what happened" exist, "make sense of the events" often emphasizes the effort required to comprehend complex or confusing situations. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and avoid overusing it in simple scenarios. The phrase has neutral formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understand what happened

Focuses directly on understanding the occurrences without necessarily implying a struggle or effort to comprehend.

interpret the occurrences

Emphasizes the act of assigning meaning to events, often implying a subjective perspective.

comprehend the situation

Highlights understanding the overall context or circumstances surrounding the events.

figure out what took place

Suggests an active effort to discover and understand the sequence of actions.

decipher the happenings

Implies that the events are complex or obscure, requiring careful analysis to understand.

get to the bottom of things

Suggests uncovering the underlying causes or truths behind the events.

make heads or tails of the situation

Informal way of saying to understand something complicated or confusing.

grasp the implications

Focuses on understanding the consequences or effects of the events.

analyze the incidents

Highlights a systematic examination of the events to understand their nature and causes.

draw conclusions from the incidents

Focuses on coming to a judgment or decision based on the events.

FAQs

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

You can use "make sense of the events" when describing the process of understanding a series of occurrences, especially if they are complex or confusing. For example, "After the investigation, we tried to make sense of the events that led to the accident."

What are some alternatives to "make sense of the events"?

Alternatives include "understand what happened", "interpret the occurrences", or "comprehend the situation", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make sense of the event" or "make sense of the events"?

The choice depends on whether you are referring to a single event or multiple events. Use "event" for a single occurrence and "events" for multiple occurrences.

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

"Understand the events" implies a direct comprehension, while "make sense of the events" suggests a process of trying to find meaning or coherence, especially when the occurrences are complex or confusing.