tried to make sense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tried to make sense of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an effort to understand or clarify something that is confusing or unclear. Example: "After reading the complex report, I tried to make sense of the data presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

West tried to make sense of the auction.

The New York Times

"I always tried to make sense of that.

The New Yorker

Struggling with jet lag that first week, I tried to make sense of my new life.

Princeton University

After the scandal became public, she tried to make sense of what had happened.

The New York Times

Those who know Anthony and Wesley tried to make sense of what had happened.

The New York Times

In online conversations, Beijing residents tried to make sense of the latest readings.

The New York Times - Science

While Bowyer celebrated, the title contenders tried to make sense of the day.

The New York Times - Sports

Sitting outside, Khouri and Baki tried to make sense of the racket.

The New Yorker

Mr. Wainwright gamely tried to make sense of that Berlin standard above the noise.

The New York Times - Arts

Still others weighed in with supportive words and tried to make sense of the allegations.

The New York Times

After the sale, Phillips experts tried to make sense of the results.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tried to make sense of" when you want to emphasize the effort or struggle involved in understanding something complex or confusing. It's more emphatic than simply saying "understood".

Common error

Avoid using "tried to make sense of" when a simpler term like "understood" or "figured out" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. For example, prefer "I understood the instructions" over "I tried to make sense of the instructions" if the instructions were straightforward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tried to make sense of" functions as a verb phrase indicating an attempt to understand, interpret, or find meaning in something that is initially unclear or confusing. Ludwig AI validates its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tried to make sense of" is a commonly used phrase that indicates an effort to understand something complex or confusing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like ""attempted to understand"" or ""sought to interpret"" exist, the phrase effectively conveys the active process of deciphering meaning. To ensure clarity in your writing, use it when emphasizing the effort involved in understanding, and avoid overusing it in overly simple contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempted to understand

Focuses on the effort to grasp the meaning.

endeavored to comprehend

Highlights a serious and determined effort to understand.

sought to interpret

Emphasizes the process of finding meaning or significance.

struggled to decipher

Implies difficulty in understanding something obscure or complex.

worked to unravel

Suggests a process of disentangling something complicated to understand it.

strove to figure out

Highlights effort put to resolve or find a solution.

made an effort to grasp

Emphasizes the exertion of energy to understand something.

took pains to understand

Focuses on the careful and diligent effort made.

applied oneself to understanding

Emphasizes dedication and focus in the attempt to understand.

aimed to clarify

Highlights the intention to remove confusion and make something clear.

FAQs

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

You can use "tried to make sense of" to describe an effort to understand something confusing. For example, "After the lecture, the students "tried to make sense of" the complex theories presented".

What are some alternatives to "tried to make sense of"?

Alternatives include "attempted to understand", "sought to interpret", or "struggled to decipher", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "tried to make sense from" instead of "tried to make sense of"?

The correct preposition to use is "of". Saying "tried to make sense from" is grammatically incorrect. Always use ""tried to make sense of"".

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

"Tried to understand" is a general attempt to grasp something. "Tried to make sense of" implies a situation where something is initially confusing or nonsensical, and effort is required to find meaning.