Usage of "to parse"
The online dictionary Merriam-Webster gives a few definitions of the verb "to parse".
(A) to divide (a sentence) into grammatical parts and identify the parts and their relations to each other
(B) to describe (a word) grammatically by stating the part of speech and explaining the inflection
(C) analyze critically
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I am interested in definition C. I am going to make up three sentences with it.
(1) The detective spent days parsing the evidence he collected from the crime scene.
(2) Tom has a difficult time trying to parse his teacher's poem.
(3) Economists are parsing the current political situation in this country that has caused the international business crisis.
Am I using the third meaning correctly? Thanks for your help.
Top answer
ansonguy (1) The detective spent days parsing the evidence he collected from the crime scene ansonguy (3) Economists are parsing the current political situation in this country that has caused the international business crisis. In (1), I'd use other verbs (than parse) like, for example, examine, study, consider, review. In (3), I'd rather use such verbs like analyse, study, examine, apprise, assess, look at.
- ansonguy (1) The detective spent days parsing the evidence he collected from the crime scene ansonguy (3) Economists are parsing the current political situation in this country that has caused the international business crisis.
- In (1), I'd use other verbs (than parse) like, for example, examine, study, consider, review.
- In (3), I'd rather use such verbs like analyse, study, examine, apprise, assess, look at.
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ansonguy(1) The detective spent days parsing the evidence he collected from the crime scene
ansonguy(3) Economists are parsing the current political situation in this country that has caused the international business crisis.
In (1), I'd use other verbs (than parse) like, for example, examine, study, consider, revie
0(2) Tom has a difficult time trying to parse his teacher's poem.
This sounds to me like you are using meaning A. With a poem, you first have to understand the English, before you can start analyzing the poem's meaning critically.
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