try to make sense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to make sense of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate an effort to figure something out or to make sense of something that is unclear or confusing. For example: "I spent an hour trying to make sense of the instructions, but I still couldn't understand them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

You try to make sense of it.

The New York Times

Mostly, we would try to make sense of it all.

The New York Times

But then, why try to make sense of Captain Beefheart?

The Guardian - Music

The characters arise from the wreckage and try to make sense of what has happened.

The New York Times - Arts

It is natural for people to turn to history to try to make sense of things.

The Economist

The patent office and lower courts must now try to make sense of the ruling.

The Economist

It is a lot to try to make sense of, but it is certainly big.

The New York Times

Don't try to make sense of that logically; it's all about philosophy.

The New Yorker

Whenever we encounter new information, our brains immediately try to make sense of it.

The New Yorker

But it's happening and we'll try to make sense of it all.

The New York Times

Then, in his "comments," other authors try to make sense of it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation that defies logic or explanation, consider preceding the phrase with "even when", "even if" or "especially when" for emphasis. For example: "Even when faced with contradictory evidence, scientists must "try to make sense of" the data."

Common error

Avoid using "try to make sense of" when referring to simply understanding something easily. This phrase implies difficulty and effort; using it in simple situations can sound unnatural. For instance, avoid saying "I tried to make sense of the weather forecast" if it was a straightforward prediction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to make sense of" functions as a verbal phrase expressing an attempt to comprehend or understand something, often implying difficulty or complexity. Ludwig's examples illustrate its usage across various contexts, from news articles to scientific publications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try to make sense of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the effort to understand something complex or confusing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources spanning News & Media, Science, and other contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for situations involving difficulty in comprehension. Related alternatives include "attempt to understand" and "work to figure out". To avoid misuse, remember that this phrase implies a deliberate and challenging cognitive process. Overall, using "try to make sense of" effectively conveys the active pursuit of understanding when faced with ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an effort to understand

Highlights effort involved in the action of understanding, slightly more verbose.

try to figure out

Slightly more casual alternative to "try to make sense of".

attempt to understand

Focuses on the effort to gain understanding, omitting the "making sense" aspect.

work to figure out

An informal alternative, emphasizing the process of finding a solution or understanding.

endeavor to comprehend

Emphasizes the effort and intellectual grasping, slightly more formal.

strive to decipher

Highlights the effort to decode or interpret something complex or obscure.

seek to interpret

Focuses on finding the meaning of something, often used in literary or analytical contexts.

undertake to grasp

Implies a deliberate and serious attempt to understand something.

struggle to comprehend

Highlights the difficulty involved in understanding something.

aim to fathom

Implies attempting to understand something profound or mysterious.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to make sense of" to describe an attempt to understand something confusing. For example, "I had to "try to make sense of" the instructions before assembling the furniture".

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

Some alternatives to "try to make sense of" include "attempt to understand", "work to figure out", or "endeavor to comprehend" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "try to make sense of"?

"Try to make sense of" is appropriate when describing a deliberate effort to understand something complex or confusing. It is not suitable for simple or easily understood situations.

What is the difference between "try to make sense of" and "understand"?

"Try to make sense of" implies an active effort to understand something difficult or confusing, while "understand" simply means to grasp the meaning of something. The former suggests a process, while the latter indicates a result.