try and understand

USAGE SUMMARY

"try and understand" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when trying to encourage someone to make an effort to comprehend something. For example, "I know this is difficult, but please try and understand the material before the exam."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I try and understand them".

The New Yorker

"And I struggle to try and understand," Nicole says.

The Guardian

I try and understand and put myself in their shoes.

The Guardian

Listen, it's not my job to try and understand people.

The New York Times

That makes economics a much messier and more unpleasant thing to try and understand.

The Economist

"He takes a lot of time to try and understand the car, understand his own performance.

The New York Times - Sports

"They really want to try and understand where their money is going".

The New York Times

It has served me to try and understand men rather than try to kill them.

The Guardian - Music

"We need to consider each ballot to try and understand the voter's intent," said Mr. Burton.

The New York Times

"We're asking people to try and understand that, but it's not good public relations.

The New York Times - Sports

I like to read the sea, to try and understand my meteorological future.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try and understand" to encourage someone to make an effort to comprehend something that might be difficult or nuanced. It conveys a sense of empathy and shared effort.

Common error

While acceptable, "try and understand" can sound too informal in academic or professional writing. Opt for more direct phrases like "attempt to comprehend" or "seek to understand" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try and understand" functions primarily as an imperative, encouraging someone to make an effort to comprehend something. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used in various contexts to urge understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try and understand" is a common and generally acceptable way to encourage comprehension, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While it's widely used across various contexts, including News & Media and general writing, it's important to consider the level of formality required. In academic or professional settings, alternatives like "attempt to comprehend" or "seek to understand" may be more appropriate. The expert rating reflects a balance between grammatical acceptability, source authority, and consistent usage. Ultimately, "try and understand" serves as a persuasive and empathetic way to urge cognitive effort and deeper understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try to comprehend

Removes the "and", making it a more direct and slightly more formal version.

make an attempt to understand

Adds slight emphasis on the 'attempt' aspect, suggesting the possibility of failure.

seek to understand

Suggests an active search for understanding, often involving investigation or inquiry.

aim to understand

Focuses on the intention or goal of understanding something.

make an effort to grasp

Focuses on actively attempting to seize or understand something, often intellectually.

work to understand

Emphasizes the effort and labor put into achieving comprehension.

strive to comprehend

Highlights the exertion and determination involved in understanding.

endeavor to comprehend

Implies a more formal and diligent effort to understand.

take pains to understand

Suggests a careful and meticulous effort to achieve understanding.

attempt to fathom

Emphasizes the challenge of understanding something deep or complex.

FAQs

What does "try and understand" mean?

The phrase "try and understand" means to make an effort to comprehend something, often when it is challenging or complex. It implies a need for careful consideration and empathy.

Is "try and understand" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "try and understand" is acceptable in written English. While some might argue that "try to understand" is more grammatically precise, the "try and" construction is common and widely understood.

What are some alternatives to "try and understand"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to comprehend", "seek to understand", or "make an effort to grasp" depending on the context.

When should I use "try and understand" versus "try to understand"?

"Try and understand" is generally suitable for informal settings, while "try to understand" may be preferred in more formal writing. The choice often depends on the desired tone and audience.