undertake to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertake to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a commitment or intention to make an effort to comprehend something. Example: "In order to improve our communication, I will undertake to understand your perspective better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In other words, understanding and action are as complex as the human beings who undertake to understand and to act.

Huffington Post

Through their emphasis on the "hermeneutic circle" through which humans undertake to understand the meanings created by other humans in texts, symbols, and actions hermeneutic philosophers such as Schleiermacher (1838), Dilthey (1860 1903), and Ricoeur (2000) offer philosophical arguments for emphasizing the importance of narrative interpretation within our understanding of history.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As part of PBS, a functional assessment of challenging behaviour is undertaken to understand what the person is using the behaviour to achieve.

The Guardian

Sensitivity analyses, therefore, have to be undertaken to understand the importance and influences of key parameters.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Differential scanning calorimetry and surface fracture analyses were undertaken to understand this specific behaviour.

International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives

This study was undertaken to understand perceptions of miscommunication and the circumstances in which they present.

Intensive and Critical Care Nursing

Additional research could be undertaken to understand more precisely how targeted support to SMEs could change this situation.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Fundamental studies [6, 7] have been recently undertaken to understand interparticle forces leading to assembly or nonassembly of nanoparticles.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The study was also undertaken to understand the criteria applied by police forces to differentiate a crime from an incident.

Crime Science

Therefore, a market research was undertaken to understand if such a system has potential for market uptake.

Urban Rail Transit

A more recent analytical approach has been undertaken to understand the composition of the mulberry coloured paintings [18].

Heritage Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undertake to understand" when you want to express a formal commitment to achieving comprehension, especially in complex or challenging situations.

Common error

Avoid using "undertake to understand" in informal contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "try to understand" or "make an effort to understand" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertake to understand" functions as a purpose connector, indicating an intention or commitment to achieve comprehension. Ludwig examples show it used in the context of research and personal commitment, such as "humans undertake to understand" or actions being "undertaken to understand".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undertake to understand" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a formal commitment to comprehension. As shown by Ludwig, it appears in both news media and scientific contexts, though it is relatively rare. Because of its formal nature, this phrase is most appropriately used in professional or academic writing. Simpler alternatives, such as "commit to understanding", may be more suitable for casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commit to understanding

Focuses on commitment rather than the initial action of undertaking.

strive to comprehend

Emphasizes effort and attempt in the process of understanding.

endeavor to grasp

Uses a more formal tone, highlighting the effort to fully grasp a concept.

make an effort to understand

A more direct and simple way of expressing the intention to understand.

aim to comprehend

Focuses on the goal or aim of understanding something.

seek to understand

Highlights the active pursuit of understanding.

take steps to understand

Emphasizes the actions taken towards achieving understanding.

aspire to comprehend

Implies a higher level of ambition in achieving understanding.

make it a point to understand

Highlights the determination to understand something.

dedicate oneself to understanding

Emphasizes a strong commitment and dedication to the process of understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "undertake to understand" to express a commitment to comprehending a complex topic or situation. For example, "We must undertake to understand the underlying causes of this issue."

What can I say instead of "undertake to understand"?

You can use alternatives like "commit to understanding", "strive to comprehend", or "make an effort to understand" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "undertake to understand"?

"Undertake to understand" is best used in formal or professional contexts where you want to emphasize a serious commitment to comprehending something complex. It is less appropriate in casual conversation.

Is "undertake to understand" synonymous with "try to understand"?

While both phrases express an intention to understand, "undertake to understand" implies a more formal and dedicated commitment than simply "try to understand". It suggests a willingness to invest significant effort in achieving comprehension.