make sense of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make sense of things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of understanding or interpreting information, situations, or experiences. Example: "After reviewing the data, I was finally able to make sense of things and draw meaningful conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is great variation, and indeed creativity, in the ways that people make sense of things.

Product Experience

Or people may simply be unable to make sense of things.

Product Experience

"It was about trying to put words in people's mouths to make sense of things.

The New York Times

It is natural for people to turn to history to try to make sense of things.

The Economist

"It must be wired into us," he says, "this need to make sense of things".

The New York Times

In the battle to make sense of things, the 'preposterous society' of England was no help.

The Guardian - Books

I mean the way we are all looking for ways to make sense of things.

The Guardian

"It's hard to make sense of things now that he's gone".

The New York Times

S was unable to make sense of things because he was too focused on every detail.

The New York Times - Health

'Fiction' implies values and meanings, the stories we tell to make sense of things".

The Guardian - Books

Nothing means anything any more, so people should stop trying to make sense of things".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make sense of things" when you want to emphasize the process of understanding complex or confusing information. It highlights the effort involved in achieving comprehension.

Common error

Don't use "make sense of things" when a simpler term like "understand" or "comprehend" suffices. Overusing idiomatic expressions can make your writing sound unnecessarily convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make sense of things" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the process of understanding or interpreting information, situations, or experiences. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make sense of things" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the process of understanding complex information or situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, indicating its versatility across different writing styles. While highly formal writing might benefit from simpler terms like "understand", "make sense of things" effectively conveys the effort involved in achieving comprehension, offering a more nuanced expression of understanding. It’s important, however, to avoid overusing this phrase when simpler alternatives suffice to maintain clarity and conciseness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

figure things out

Suggests a process of active reasoning and problem-solving.

understand the situation

Focuses specifically on comprehending a particular set of circumstances.

piece things together

Implies assembling fragmented information into a coherent whole.

comprehend the issue

Emphasizes a broad understanding of a problem or topic.

clarify the matter

Emphasizes making something clearer and easier to understand.

decipher the matter

Implies a need to decode or unravel something complex or obscure.

get a handle on things

Focuses on gaining control and understanding of a situation.

grasp the concept

Highlights the intellectual act of seizing an idea.

get to the bottom of things

Implies a search for the fundamental truth or cause.

untangle the problem

Suggests resolving a complicated or confused issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "make sense of things" to describe the process of understanding something complex. For example, "After reviewing the data, I tried to "make sense of things"".

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

You can use alternatives like "understand the situation", "decipher the matter", or "comprehend the issue" depending on the context.

Is "make sense of things" formal or informal?

"Make sense of things" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though in highly formal writing, you might prefer a more direct synonym like "comprehend" or "understand".

When is it best to use "make sense of things" over "understand"?

Use "make sense of things" when you want to emphasize the effort or process involved in understanding something that is initially confusing or complex. "Understand" is more straightforward and general.