take steps to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take steps to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of making an effort to gain knowledge or comprehension about a particular subject or situation. Example: "In order to improve our communication, we must take steps to understand each other's perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The reality of this highly connected workplace means employers must take steps to understand whether a departing member of staff represents a risk of data theft and if so, be prepared to investigate that possibility before key evidence is lost.

The Guardian

"Staff morale affects the quality of patient care, and the Government urgently needs to take steps to understand the root causes of low morale and address issues such as workload, work-life balance and the effects NHS reforms are having on staff," he said.

Independent

Moreover, Hanabusa stressed that Zinke should take steps to understand what Japanese-Americans actually went through during World War II.

Huffington Post

Take steps to understand diabetes.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Camelot, the firm that operates the game, said it had become aware of "suspicious activity on a very small proportion" of accounts, and it was now taking steps to understand what had happened.

The Guardian

According to the ILO, fatal occupational injuries in China accounts for 26% of the world total. 1 In China, government and researchers have been taking steps to understand and prevent occupational injuries.

BMJ Open

These organizations have been advocating for governments to take direct steps to understand the broad implications of the changing demographic landscape and to begin planning to address the needs of persons with ADRD, their families and support staff working in dementia care (National Advisory Council on Aging, 2004; Smale & Dupuis, 2004; WHO, 2012).

Dementia

The I.R.A., for its part, must take steps to help Protestants understand what they can win by sharing power.

The New York Times

Further investigation is also needed to understand why some families take steps to reduce ETS exposure and others do not.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Debt occurs because there is something wrong, so we must understand it and take steps to prevent this from happening again or continue in the future.

WikiHow

If you understand that you can take steps to prevent that we don't own anything in the office that doesn't have a stop-loss on it.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "take steps to understand", ensure that the subsequent actions are clearly defined or implied. This provides context and demonstrates a commitment to gaining knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "take steps to understand" without specifying what those steps involve. Vague statements can weaken your message. Instead, outline concrete actions to show your proactive approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take steps to understand" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of initiating actions aimed at gaining comprehension or knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly used to describe a deliberate process of seeking understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

32%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take steps to understand" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of actively seeking knowledge or comprehension. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is a good one, meaning it is acceptable to use and easy to understand. It is commonly found in news, wiki and scientific content. The phrase suggests a proactive and intentional approach to gaining knowledge, and it is essential to specify the nature of these steps for clarity. Related phrases include "make an effort to understand" and "endeavor to comprehend", offering alternative ways to convey the same meaning with slight variations in formality and emphasis. Remember to use this phrase when you would like to suggest a methodical and structured process in acquiring knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an effort to understand

Emphasizes the exertion of effort in the process of understanding.

work to understand

Focuses on the active labor involved in achieving understanding.

seek to understand

Highlights the active pursuit of understanding.

make an attempt to understand

Highlights the intention and execution of a try to understand something.

endeavor to comprehend

A more formal alternative emphasizing a serious attempt to grasp something.

undertake measures to understand

Emphasizes a deliberate and planned approach to gaining understanding.

strive to comprehend

Similar to 'endeavor', but emphasizes continuous effort.

initiate efforts to comprehend

A more formal way of expressing beginning the process of understanding.

make it your business to understand

Expresses a strong sense of responsibility for achieving understanding.

try to grasp

Focuses on the mental effort to seize or understand something.

FAQs

How can I use "take steps to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "take steps to understand" when you want to express the process of making an effort to gain knowledge or comprehension about a particular subject or situation. For example: "We must take steps to understand the needs of our customers before developing a new product."

What are some alternatives to "take steps to understand"?

Alternatives include "make an effort to understand", "endeavor to comprehend", or "seek to understand". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "take steps to understand" or "try to understand"?

"Take steps to understand" implies a more proactive and methodical approach, while "try to understand" simply indicates an attempt. The former is suitable when specific actions are being or will be taken, and the latter when expressing a general effort.

What does it mean to "take steps to understand" something?

To "take steps to understand" something means to initiate specific actions or measures designed to gain knowledge or comprehension about it. This might involve research, consultation, experimentation, or other deliberate efforts.