work to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing efforts made to comprehend a concept, situation, or perspective. Example: "In our discussions, we must work to understand each other's viewpoints to foster better communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Work to understand your family's financial situation.

The New York Times

"I think if people did more work to understand what the army does, they wouldn't go".

Independent

In Annals of Innovation, writers work to understand how new ideas find practical expression.

The New Yorker

Economists have used their work to understand why people in the marketplace often make irrational decisions.

The New York Times

Scientists already use animals that contain human material in work to understand medical conditions such as Down's syndrome.

The Guardian

In his speech, Mr. Powell also said the F.C.C. must work to understand and respond to the needs of consumers.

The New York Times

"What's needed next is more work to understand how 'land sparing' might work in practice", said Dr Phalan in email.

The Guardian

A complex fabric of researchers work to understand and treat autism.

Science Magazine

"What needs to happen now is further work to understand how this process works".

Science Magazine

Spectroscopic work to understand the mechanism of ferrate VI) synthesis is included.

Electrochimica Acta

Further work to understand changes in distribution and to allow for improved spatial models is emphasized.

Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work to understand" when you want to emphasize the effort and process involved in gaining comprehension, rather than a simple state of knowing.

Common error

Avoid using "work to understand" when a simpler verb like "understand" or "learn" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work to understand" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intent. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, indicating it is a standard way to describe the effort made to comprehend a concept or situation. The examples show its use in diverse contexts, emphasizing the active nature of understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work to understand" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the effort involved in comprehending a concept, situation, or perspective. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's versatile and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in science, news media, and formal business settings. While it is widely accepted and used, it's important to consider the context and avoid overuse in situations where simpler verbs would suffice. Remember that this phrase highlights the active nature of the process. Considering the evidence, you can confidently use the phrase in your writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strive to comprehend

Emphasizes a determined effort toward comprehension.

endeavor to grasp

Highlights the attempt to seize or understand something, often implying complexity.

make an effort to comprehend

Focuses on the conscious effort being made to understand.

seek to comprehend

Suggests an active seeking of understanding.

try to understand

A more general and less formal way of expressing the effort to understand.

make an attempt to understand

Similar to 'try to understand' but slightly more formal.

exert effort to comprehend

Emphasizes the amount of effort being put into understanding.

dedicate oneself to understanding

Suggests a strong commitment to achieving understanding.

apply oneself to understanding

Indicates a focused and deliberate effort to understand.

labor to comprehend

Implies a difficult and laborious effort to understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "work to understand" to describe the process of trying to comprehend something. For example, "We must "work to understand" each other's perspectives to find common ground."

What are some alternatives to "work to understand"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "strive to comprehend", "endeavor to grasp", or "try to understand".

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

"Work to understand" emphasizes the effort and process involved in comprehending something, while "try to understand" is a more general term. The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What is the difference between "work to understand" and "seeking to understand"?

"Work to understand" focuses on the active effort being made. "Seek to understand", implies an active search or quest for comprehension. The nuance changes based on if you want to emphasize the effort, or the searching nature of comprehension.