tries to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

'tries to understand' is a gramatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to describe a person who is attempting to comprehend something. For example: "Alice tries to understand the professor's lecture, but finds the material confusing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He tries to understand".

Independent

She tries to understand the client.

The New York Times

The writer tries to understand both.

The New York Times - Books

He listens and tries to understand.

The Guardian

As he enters his own chamber, he tries to understand.

The New Yorker

Above all, she tries to understand how he thinks.

The New Yorker

This play does not excuse bad behavior, but it tries to understand it.

The New York Times

Before submitting an offer, Mr. Dankner also tries to understand the seller's motivations.

The New York Times

A post at The Guardian tries to understand how Anders Breivik understood the Frankfurt School.

The New York Times

And political science is the discipline that tries to understand this very human essence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Basic research tries to understand how certain biological and chemical imbalances cause disease.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tries to understand" when you want to emphasize the effort someone is making to comprehend something, especially if the subject is complex or challenging.

Common error

While "tries to understand" is grammatically sound, avoid using it when a simpler verb like "understands" or "learns" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. For instance, instead of "He tries to understand basic arithmetic", consider "He understands basic arithmetic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tries to understand" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action or process. It describes someone making an effort to comprehend something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

23%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tries to understand" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the action of attempting to comprehend something, often complex. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It finds application across diverse fields like News & Media, Academia, and Science, with neutral formality. Alternatives such as "attempts to comprehend" or "seeks to comprehend" can be used to add variety. While versatile, avoid overusing it in contexts where simpler terms suffice, and remember to consider the effort implied by the phrase. By understanding the nuances of this expression, writers can employ it effectively in various communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempts to comprehend

Emphasizes the effort being made to grasp the meaning.

seeks to comprehend

Highlights the active pursuit of understanding.

endeavors to grasp

Implies a determined effort to understand, often something complex.

makes an effort to understand

Directly states the action of trying to understand.

strives to decipher

Suggests trying to understand something obscure or difficult.

aims to fathom

Implies a goal of deeply understanding something mysterious or profound.

works at understanding

Highlights continuous and active work toward comprehension.

is intent on understanding

Shows a strong focus and determination to understand.

dedicates effort to understanding

Implies a commitment of resources to achieve understanding.

takes steps to understand

Suggests a systematic approach to gaining understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "tries to understand" in a sentence?

"Tries to understand" is used to describe an active attempt to comprehend something. For example: "The student "tries to understand" the complex equation."

What are some alternatives to "tries to understand"?

Alternatives include phrases like "attempts to comprehend", "seeks to comprehend", or "endeavors to grasp", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "tries to understand" or "attempts to understand"?

Both "tries to understand" and "attempts to understand" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone. "Attempts to understand" may sound slightly more formal.

When is it not appropriate to use "tries to understand"?

It might not be appropriate when a simpler word like "understands" or "knows" suffices, especially in simple or straightforward contexts. Using ""tries to understand"" implies effort, so if the understanding is easy or already achieved, a simpler word is better.