strive to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strive to comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the effort to understand something, whether it be a concept, a situation, or another person's perspective. Example: "In our discussions, we should always strive to comprehend the viewpoints of others to foster better communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

What may be the most ambitious, and disturbing, of Kasischke's eight books of poems strives to comprehend first and last things.

The New York Times - Books

Yet the 86 Scarsdale students have strived to comprehend on both intellectual and gut levels what it took for the Little Rock teenagers to brave hatred and potential violence to attend school, primarily by recreating the experience in films.

The New York Times

Her new collection, "Space, in Chains," is neither the most elegant nor the most consistent of her eight books of poems, but it might be the most ambitious — and the most disturbing, as it strives to comprehend first and last things.

The New York Times - Books

In such a situation imagination strives to comprehend the object in accordance with a demand of reason, but fails to do so.

SEP

It was hard to comprehend.

The New Yorker

Impossible to comprehend".

The Guardian

The switch is easy enough to comprehend.

The New Yorker

Somehow, that fact was difficult to comprehend.

The New Yorker

Outsiders found it hard to comprehend.

The New Yorker

"It's easy to comprehend".

The New York Times

Inability to comprehend driving laws?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strive to comprehend" when you want to emphasize a determined and effortful attempt to understand something complex or challenging.

Common error

Avoid using "strive to comprehend" in situations where simpler phrases like "try to understand" or "attempt to grasp" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound unnatural or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strive to comprehend" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase. It signifies an effort or attempt to understand something, typically something complex or challenging. Ludwig examples support this.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strive to comprehend" is a grammatically correct and usable infinitive phrase that denotes a dedicated effort to understand something, often something complex. According to Ludwig, while perfectly correct, its usage is relatively infrequent, and it leans towards a more formal register. When writing, consider simpler alternatives like "try to understand" or "attempt to grasp" in less formal contexts. Overusing "strive to comprehend" in simple situations can make your writing sound unnatural. Its purpose is primarily to express intention and effort in the pursuit of knowledge, and it is mainly used in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavor to understand

Replaces "strive" with a synonym, maintaining the core meaning of attempting to understand.

attempt to grasp

Substitutes both "strive" and "comprehend" with synonyms, focusing on the effort to understand.

make an effort to understand

Emphasizes the effort made in understanding, using more explicit wording.

try to understand

A more direct and simpler alternative, indicating an attempt to gain understanding.

seek to understand

Highlights the active pursuit of understanding, replacing "strive" with "seek".

aim to comprehend

Focuses on the intention to comprehend, using "aim" as a substitute for "strive".

work to understand

Emphasizes the effort involved in understanding, replacing "strive" with "work".

aspire to understand

Suggests a higher level of ambition in understanding, using "aspire" as a synonym for "strive".

undertake to comprehend

Formal alternative, suggesting a deliberate and planned effort to understand.

endeavor to grasp

Combines synonyms for both "strive" and "comprehend", creating a more varied phrasing.

FAQs

How can I use "strive to comprehend" in a sentence?

You can use "strive to comprehend" when you want to express a significant effort to understand a complex concept. For example, "Scientists must "strive to comprehend" the complexities of the human brain".

What's a simpler way to say "strive to comprehend"?

Alternatives to "strive to comprehend" include phrases like "try to understand", "attempt to grasp", or "make an effort to understand".

Is "strive to comprehend" formal or informal?

"Strive to comprehend" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, using "try to understand" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "strive to comprehend" and "try to comprehend"?

"Strive to comprehend" suggests a more dedicated and prolonged effort to understand something difficult, while "try to comprehend" simply implies an attempt to understand, without necessarily implying a significant or prolonged effort.