trying to process

USAGE SUMMARY

"trying to process" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are attempting to comprehend a complicated topic. For example, "I'm trying to process how this new algorithm is supposed to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They're still trying to process it".

The New York Times

I'm still trying to process it".

The Guardian

"I'm still trying to process everything.

The New York Times

"I'm still trying to process it, really.

The Guardian - Sport

I've been trying to process it.

The New Yorker

"To be honest, I'm still trying to process it all".

The New Yorker

Trying to process what they see, people will wonder.

The New York Times

"I was just trying to process it," Simms said.

The New York Times - Magazine

They are still trying to process their luck.

The New York Times - Sports

Davidson, numb, was still trying to process it all.

The New York Times - Sports

They are still trying to process it all.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trying to process" when you want to convey the effort and time required to understand complex information or a difficult situation. It accurately depicts a mental effort to make sense of something.

Common error

Avoid using "processing" alone when you want to emphasize the ongoing effort of understanding. "Processing" is a general term, while "trying to process" specifically conveys the attempt and potential difficulty in understanding something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to process" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an ongoing effort or attempt to understand or make sense of something. It often describes a mental state of actively working through information or experiences. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trying to process" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of making sense of complex information, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys an active cognitive effort. While versatile, consider more formal alternatives like "attempting to understand" in academic or scientific contexts. When using "trying to process", remember that it specifically conveys the effort involved in understanding, distinguishing it from the more general term "processing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the process of understanding

Highlights that understanding is ongoing, much like processing.

seeking to make sense of

Focuses on the act of finding meaning in something.

attempting to understand

Focuses on the effort to gain understanding, similar to processing.

figuring out

A more casual alternative, implying problem-solving to gain understanding.

working to comprehend

Highlights the effort involved in achieving comprehension.

endeavoring to grasp

Emphasizes a more formal and deliberate attempt to understand.

grappling with

Implies a struggle in understanding or accepting something.

coming to terms with

Focuses on accepting and understanding an event or situation.

wrapping one's head around

An informal way to express the effort to understand something complex.

deciphering

Suggests unraveling something complex or obscure to understand it.

FAQs

How can I use "trying to process" in a sentence?

You can use "trying to process" when you are in the middle of understanding something complex. For example, "I'm "still trying to process" all the information from the meeting".

What's a more formal way to say "trying to process"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "attempting to understand" or "endeavoring to grasp". These phrases convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated vocabulary.

What can I say instead of "I'm trying to process" to sound less uncertain?

If you want to sound more confident, you could say "I'm "in the process of understanding" this" or "I'm "working to comprehend" this." These options imply that you are actively engaged in understanding and making progress.

Is "trying to process" appropriate for professional communication?

Yes, "trying to process" is suitable for professional communication, especially when describing a situation where understanding requires effort. However, for extremely formal settings, consider alternatives like "attempting to understand".