we cannot make sense of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we cannot make sense of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing confusion or inability to understand something. Example: "After reviewing the data, we cannot make sense of the results and need further clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

No, we cannot make sense of why it happened.

The New York Times

"Now it appears we cannot make sense of our own".

The New York Times - Books

We apply the concept, after all, when we cannot make sense of a horrific event.

The New York Times - Books

"We cannot make sense of this issue without looking at how it all fits together".

The Guardian

We cannot make sense of young women's involvement in violence until we can pick these issues apart.

The Guardian

"We cannot make sense of what has happened, but we can come together," declared the Rev. George Felder Jr., pastor of New Hope A.M.E.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Unless and until we can understand the concepts and language in question, we cannot make sense out of what we perceive and continue to understand in our previous terms.

SEP

And - make no mistake - it is suffering that we simply cannot make sense of - in human terms.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But, after further outperformance, we simply cannot make sense of a share price of more than our new target of 2,100p (up from 1,620p), 21% below the current price and, in our recommendation system, a sell.

The Guardian - Business

Their failures are often due to the fact that they cannot make sense of what we are trying to accomplish or why.

Huffington Post

Mr. Bean, as we have no memory of Vietnam, and therefore (supposedly) cannot make sense of Central America, the same logic dictates that because you have no memory of the Russian Revolution, you are unable to analyze current East-West differences.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "we cannot make sense of" when you want to express a lack of understanding or an inability to find a logical explanation for something. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "we cannot make sense of" is a valid expression, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "we can't understand" or "we are unable to comprehend" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot make sense of" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of understanding or comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid way to convey that something is illogical or inexplicable to the speaker. The provided examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we cannot make sense of" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to express a lack of comprehension or an inability to find a logical explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and usable in English. While the expression is more frequent in news and scientific contexts, it maintains a generally neutral to formal register. To avoid redundancy, consider using alternatives such as "we can't understand" or "we are unable to comprehend". The provided examples, found across diverse sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, illustrate the phrase's wide applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we can't understand

Replaces "make sense of" with a more direct synonym for understanding.

we are unable to comprehend

Uses a more formal and sophisticated vocabulary to express a lack of understanding.

we fail to grasp

Indicates a failure to understand something, using a slightly more figurative expression.

we are at a loss to explain

Emphasizes the inability to provide an explanation due to a lack of understanding.

we find it incomprehensible

Highlights the incomprehensibility of something from the speaker's perspective.

we are baffled by

Conveys a sense of bewilderment and confusion.

we're stumped by

Uses a more informal term ("stumped") to indicate a lack of understanding.

it eludes our understanding

Shifts the focus to the subject that is difficult to understand, rather than the person.

we haven't a clue

An informal way of saying that someone has no idea about something.

we're in the dark about

Indicates a state of ignorance or lack of information about something.

FAQs

What does "we cannot make sense of" mean?

The phrase "we cannot make sense of" means that something is incomprehensible, illogical, or difficult to understand. It indicates an inability to find a reasonable explanation or coherent meaning.

How can I use "we cannot make sense of" in a sentence?

You can use it to express confusion or a lack of understanding, such as: "After reviewing the data, "we cannot make sense of" the results and need further clarification."

What are some alternatives to "we cannot make sense of"?

You can use alternatives like "we can't understand", "we are unable to comprehend", or "we fail to grasp" depending on the context.

Is "we cannot make sense of" formal or informal?

The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer "we are unable to comprehend" for a more sophisticated tone.