almost incomprehensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost incomprehensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very difficult to understand or grasp, but not entirely impossible. Example: "The scientific paper was filled with jargon and complex theories, making it almost incomprehensible to the average reader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's almost incomprehensible".

The New York Times

It is almost incomprehensible in size.

Endeavour

But remain ran an almost incomprehensible campaign.

The Guardian - Opinion

I find it almost incomprehensible that he did that.

The New York Times

It was almost incomprehensible in its unnaturally natural beauty.

The New Yorker

It is an almost incomprehensible number: 46 million.

The New York Times - Arts

Then there's a factor almost incomprehensible to the human mind.

The Washington Post

That she smiles so freely is almost incomprehensible.

The Guardian

This concept of work is now almost incomprehensible.

The Guardian

They found scenes of a horror almost incomprehensible.

The Guardian - Arts

"We see formats that are out of this world, ancient, sometimes almost incomprehensible," Janssen explains.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost incomprehensible" to describe complex or abstract concepts that are difficult, but not impossible, to understand. Avoid using it for simple or easily explained topics.

Common error

Avoid using "almost incomprehensible" to describe something that is merely unfamiliar or requires a simple explanation. Reserve it for truly complex or abstract ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost incomprehensible" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its quality of being very difficult to understand. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase effectively conveys a high degree of complexity or obscurity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost incomprehensible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase, employed to describe something extremely difficult to understand, but not entirely impossible. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is accurate and applicable in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, it's best reserved for intricate topics rather than everyday concepts. Alternatives include "nearly unintelligible" or "barely understandable". Remember, using "almost incomprehensible" effectively means applying it to genuinely complex subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly unintelligible

Replaces "incomprehensible" with "unintelligible", emphasizing the difficulty in understanding.

almost unfathomable

Replaces "incomprehensible" with "unfathomable", stressing the depth of the mystery.

virtually impossible to understand

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the near impossibility of understanding.

beyond one's comprehension

Indicates that something is outside the limits of someone's understanding.

barely understandable

Highlights the minimal level of understanding that can be achieved.

difficult to grasp

Emphasizes the effort required to understand something.

hardly conceivable

Shifts the focus to the difficulty in imagining or believing something.

obscure and confusing

Highlights the lack of clarity and the resulting confusion.

enigmatic and baffling

Focuses on the mysterious and perplexing nature of something.

leaves one bewildered

Emphasizes the state of confusion resulting from a lack of understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "almost incomprehensible" in a sentence?

You can use "almost incomprehensible" to describe something difficult to understand, such as: "The instructions were so poorly written they were "almost incomprehensible"".

What's a good substitute for "almost incomprehensible"?

Alternatives to "almost incomprehensible" include "nearly unintelligible", "virtually impossible to understand", or "barely understandable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "completely incomprehensible" instead of "almost incomprehensible"?

While "completely incomprehensible" is also correct, "almost incomprehensible" suggests a slight possibility of understanding, while "completely incomprehensible" implies total lack of understanding.

When is it appropriate to use "almost incomprehensible" in writing?

Use "almost incomprehensible" when describing complex topics, abstract ideas, or poorly explained information that presents a significant challenge to understanding, but not an insurmountable one.