try to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

"try to comprehend" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to understand or make sense of something. For example, "We discussed many complex concepts today, so try to comprehend them as best you can."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Try to comprehend it.

The Guardian

The new proposals and quick timetable have sent parents scrambling to try to comprehend them.

The New York Times

To try to comprehend nature in science would mean to put the whole into the part.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is interesting to try to comprehend what act of remembering is going on here.

The New York Times - Books

I challenge anybody to read that decision and try to comprehend it.

Harvard Business Review

But it has never kept humans from seeking refuge in art and turning to it to try to comprehend tragedy.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

She tried to watch, and she tried to comprehend.

The New Yorker

Your brain just gets tired trying to comprehend it all.

The New York Times - Travel

She extends our ways of trying to comprehend, if not to answer, life's big questions.

The New York Times - Books

In another he tries to comprehend why stress on the job has made him impotent.

The New York Times - Arts

In the sense of trying to comprehend all that's happened I am in shock.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "try to comprehend", ensure that the complexity of the subject aligns with the effort implied by the phrase. Use it when understanding requires significant mental effort.

Common error

Avoid using "try to comprehend" when "try to understand" is sufficient. "Comprehend" implies a deeper level of understanding, so reserve it for complex subjects. Do not say, "I try to comprehend what time it is" instead, say, "I try to understand what time it is."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to comprehend" functions as an infinitive phrase, expressing an attempt or effort to fully understand something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Examples show it used to express grappling with complex concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try to comprehend" is a grammatically correct and usable infinitive phrase that signifies an attempt to fully understand something, particularly complex or challenging concepts. As Ludwig AI notes, it's appropriate for expressing an effort to grasp subjects requiring significant mental effort. While it shares similarities with phrases like "try to understand", "comprehend" suggests a deeper level of understanding. Therefore, it's best reserved for contexts where a more profound grasp is needed. Although not extremely frequent, "try to comprehend" appears across diverse sources, including news, academia, and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to understand

Replaces "comprehend" with the more common "understand", slightly altering the formality.

make an attempt to comprehend

Adds emphasis on the attempt being made.

seek to understand

Substitutes "try" with "seek", adding a touch of formality.

strive to understand

Substitutes "try" with "strive", suggesting a more determined effort.

aim to understand

Replaces "try" with "aim", suggesting a goal-oriented approach to understanding.

make an effort to understand

Elaborates on the "try" aspect, emphasizing the effort involved in understanding.

endeavor to grasp

Replaces "try" with "endeavor" and "comprehend" with "grasp", increasing the formality and intensity.

take steps to understand

Focuses on the actions taken to achieve understanding.

venture to understand

Implies a bold or daring attempt to comprehend, adding a sense of challenge.

work to comprehend

Emphasizes the effort required to comprehend, focusing on the process.

FAQs

What does "try to comprehend" mean?

The phrase "try to comprehend" means to attempt to fully understand or grasp something, often something complex or difficult.

What can I say instead of "try to comprehend"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to understand", "seek to understand", or "make an effort to understand".

Is it better to say "try to comprehend" or "try to understand"?

"Try to comprehend" implies a deeper level of understanding than "try to understand". Use "try to comprehend" when dealing with complex or abstract concepts.

How do I use "try to comprehend" in a sentence?

You can use "try to comprehend" to express an effort to understand something, for instance, "I try to comprehend the complexities of quantum physics".