striving to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "striving to comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts to understand something complex or challenging. Example: "In the face of overwhelming information, I find myself striving to comprehend the underlying principles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

They are to be a resource for the informed public as it strives to comprehend the range of issues, in particular those having to do with political economy.

Forbes

They strive to comprehend all aspects of a problem, and focus on solving some of the greatest issues of society.

HuffPost

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

He was striving to become.

The New Yorker

Sons striving to outdo fathers.

The New York Times

"Striving to think".

The Guardian - Film

We were striving to do that last year.

The New York Times - Sports

They are striving to be noticed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "striving to comprehend" when you want to emphasize the effort and dedication involved in understanding complex or challenging subjects.

Common error

Avoid using "striving to comprehend" in situations where a simpler phrase like "trying to understand" would suffice. Overusing complex language can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "striving to comprehend" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It modifies a verb by indicating the goal or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples of its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "striving to comprehend" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that expresses a dedicated effort to understand something complex. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, emphasizing the hard work being done to understand complex topics. While "striving to comprehend" is not as common as other phrases, it is frequent in sources like The New York Times, HuffPost, and Forbes. When using "striving to comprehend", be mindful of its level of formality and the range of alternative choices, and consider whether a simpler expression such as "trying to understand" might be a better fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endeavoring to understand

Replaces "striving" with a more formal synonym, slightly increasing the formality.

seeking to grasp

Emphasizes the effort to fully understand something, rather than just attempting.

aiming to comprehend

Highlights the intention or goal of understanding, offering a slightly more direct tone.

working towards understanding

Focuses on the ongoing process of gaining understanding, rather than a single attempt.

attempting to understand

A more direct and less emphatic alternative to "striving", suggesting a simple effort.

trying to figure out

An informal alternative that focuses on problem-solving and discovery.

making an effort to comprehend

Highlights the effort involved in understanding, adding a layer of explicitness.

struggling to understand

Indicates a greater level of difficulty and effort in achieving understanding.

pursuing comprehension

Emphasizes the active and persistent pursuit of understanding.

aspiring to understand

Focuses on a high level of desire to understand something, adding a sense of ambition.

FAQs

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

You can use "striving to comprehend" to describe efforts to understand complex subjects. For example: "The students are "striving to comprehend" the intricacies of quantum physics".

What are some alternatives to "striving to comprehend"?

Alternatives include "attempting to understand", "seeking to grasp", or "endeavoring to understand" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "striving to comprehend" formal or informal?

"Striving to comprehend" has a slightly formal tone and is suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. Simpler alternatives might be better for informal conversation.

What is the difference between "striving to comprehend" and "trying to understand"?

"Striving to comprehend" implies a greater effort and dedication to understanding something complex, while "trying to understand" is a more general and less emphatic expression.