almost defies comprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost defies comprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is so complex or unusual that it is difficult to understand or grasp fully. Example: "The intricacies of the universe are so vast that they almost defy comprehension for the average person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The sheer scale of the disaster almost defies comprehension.

The New York Times

"Events move with the velocity that almost defies comprehension," Mr. Miller said in mid-September at a hearing at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Given how many black players the Europa League champions possess in their own squad, the monkey chants almost defy comprehension.

Independent

"I was struck, as I think anyone with an ounce of humanity was struck, by the absolute lack of compassion, empathy, understanding, sensitivity, humanity shown by Pell when he spoke about things that were so heinous as to almost defy comprehension," she said.

The Guardian

His metrics are so efficient as to almost defy comprehension, particularly when cutting to the basket or on rebound put-backs, where he almost always finishes or is fouled, or both.

Huffington Post

The idea of a husband and a 35th anniversary nearly defied comprehension when we first got together as students in Boston in 1981.

Huffington Post

So for Mr. Roubini to talk about a bubble in commodities defies comprehension.

Huffington Post

"Eraserhead" defies comprehension for even the most adventurous viewer, but more basically, it's a gross, relentless assault on the senses.

The New York Times

The callous cruelty displayed defies comprehension.

Independent

In many ways, James Brown defies comprehension.

The New Yorker

The rout of Juventus in the last 16 of the Europa League still defies comprehension.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost defies comprehension" to express that something is extremely difficult, but not entirely impossible, to understand. Reserve it for situations where the complexity or strangeness is truly exceptional.

Common error

Avoid using "almost defies comprehension" when simpler phrases like "difficult to understand" or "complex" would suffice. This phrase is most effective when describing truly extraordinary or baffling situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost defies comprehension" functions as an evaluative expression. It qualifies a subject by indicating that its complexity or scale is exceedingly difficult to understand. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost defies comprehension" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe situations or concepts that are exceptionally difficult to understand. Ludwig AI indicates its appropriateness for written English. While not overly common, it finds its primary use in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, as it effectively conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by complexity or scale. Alternatives include "borders on the incomprehensible" or "is challenging to fathom". Remember to reserve this phrase for truly extraordinary situations, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

borders on the incomprehensible

This alternative suggests something is approaching the limit of understanding, implying a high degree of complexity or obscurity.

nears impossibility to grasp

This phrase shifts the focus to the difficulty of grasping something, emphasizing the extreme challenge involved.

is virtually ununderstandable

This highlights the extreme difficulty in understanding something with "virtually" adding emphasis.

approaches the limits of understanding

Similar to "borders on the incomprehensible", but emphasizes the limits of one's understanding.

is challenging to fathom

Uses "fathom" to emphasize the difficulty in deeply understanding or comprehending something.

is difficult to comprehend

A more straightforward way of saying something is hard to understand.

stretches credulity

Shifts focus to the believability of something rather than its comprehensibility.

is barely believable

Focuses on the believability aspect, implying the idea is hard to accept as true.

is nearly impossible to believe

Emphasizes the impossibility of believing something.

boggles the mind

More informal and emphasizes the overwhelming nature of something that is hard to understand.

FAQs

How can I use "almost defies comprehension" in a sentence?

You can use "almost defies comprehension" to describe situations or concepts that are incredibly difficult to understand. For example, "The scale of the universe "almost defies comprehension"."

What does "almost defies comprehension" mean?

It means that something is so complex, strange, or vast that it is exceedingly difficult to understand or grasp fully. It implies that understanding is possible, but requires significant effort.

What are some alternatives to "almost defies comprehension"?

Some alternatives include "borders on the incomprehensible", "is virtually ununderstandable", or "is challenging to fathom", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "almost defies comprehension" in formal writing?

Yes, "almost defies comprehension" can be used in formal writing, but it's important to consider the audience and context. While grammatically correct, it is a relatively strong statement, so ensure it aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your writing.