MAKE SENSE OF

Human Communication

"In the labyrinth of life, one must strive to make sense of each challenge to find true wisdom and inner peace."

📖 Definition

To understand or find meaning in something that is initially confusing or complex, often requiring careful consideration or effort.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

To understand or find meaning in something that is initially confusing or complex, often requiring careful consideration or effort.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
Cannot insert words between 'make' and 'sense of'.
Register
Neutral
Used in both formal and informal contexts.
Transitive
Yes
Requires an object, something to make sense of.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple make sense of I can't make sense of this article.
Past Simple made sense of She made sense of the complex instructions with patience.
Present Continuous making sense of They are making sense of the data slowly.
Present Perfect have made sense of We have finally made sense of the teacher's lecture.

💡 When to Use

Understanding complex topics
Use when trying to comprehend difficult or sophisticated content that requires mental effort and analysis.
Example: "She struggled to make sense of the dense textbook."
Figuring out confusing situations
Apply when attempting to clarify perplexing or chaotic scenarios that lack immediate clarity.
Example: "We needed time to make sense of the hectic meeting."
Deciphering confusing information
Employ when trying to decode or unravel information that is not straightforward or clear at first glance.
Example: "He tried to make sense of the cryptic email."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Word order
❌ Wrong: Sense of make the data.
✅ Correct: Make sense of the data.
💡 Tip: Remember 'make' comes first and 'sense of' follows.
Missing object
❌ Wrong: I can't make sense.
✅ Correct: I can't make sense of this issue.
💡 Tip: Always specify what you can't make sense of.
Incorrect tense
❌ Wrong: He make sense of plans.
✅ Correct: He makes sense of plans.
💡 Tip: Use correct verb forms depending on tense.
Practice

MAKE SENSE OF - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    The detective tried to make sense of the cryptic clues left at the crime scene.

    The World Becomes A Web
  • 2
    Listen to example

    As they read through the old letters, they attempted to make sense of their ancestor's life choices.

    The World Becomes A Web
  • 3
    Listen to example

    The students worked in groups to make sense of the complex mathematical concepts presented in class.

    The World Becomes A Web

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

comprehend interpret

Antonyms

misunderstand

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"Can you ___ the instructions given in the manual?"

make feeling of
make sense of
sense up
create sense of

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Make Sense Of

What is the origin of make sense of?

+
The phrase 'make sense of' originated in the mid-19th century, rooted in the Latin word 'sensus', meaning perception or understanding. It captures the essence of bringing meaning or clarity to something perplexing, an idea that has pervasive application in both academic and everyday contexts.

Can make sense of be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'make sense of' is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is versatile, commonly used in academic writing, professional settings, and casual conversations alike, catering to universal experiences of seeking understanding across various subjects.

What is the difference between make sense of and comprehend?

+
While 'make sense of' implies an active process of trying to understand something puzzling, 'comprehend' suggests resultant understanding. 'Make sense of' often reflects ongoing efforts, whereas 'comprehend' indicates already having achieved understanding of a particular topic.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

figure outwork outget to grips withcome to terms withunderstand
Browse All The World Becomes A Web Phrasal Verbs
Human Communication Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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