decipher

[Learneng]

Decipher

[luke]

Hi Learneng,

What a great word. As you probably know, it refers to trying to read and understand something, and are usually things which require a little brain work.

So in order to break the secret code, you must first decipher it.

Hope that helps

[Learneng]

I'll try to make sentences using these words:

If I decipher it correctly, the answer in step 6 is 4.5 ml/minute.

or

If I am deciphering it correctly, the answer shown in the step 6 is 4.5 ml/minute.

[luke]

Hi Learneng,

If I am deciphering it correctly, the answer shown in the step 6 is 4.5 ml/minute.

Both sentences are fine, but whilst grammatically correct, don't seem totally right. The reason is because this word has certain connotations; it's generally used with complicated puzzles rather than mere questions. For your sentences, understand is better choice.

For decipher, you can use it like this;

In order to stop the bomb, he first had to decipher it

[Learneng]

I used the word in one of my comments during the review of a batch record. The step had multiple cross-outs, corrections, reverting earlier corrections therefore, I used that sentence. Was it correct in this context?

[luke]

As long as the task was a difficult and complicated one, I'm sure it was fine. The word is quite unusual and suitable for technical English like science (it's too formal for everyday speech unless used in the context I described earlier)