almost understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost understandable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is close to being comprehensible but still has some ambiguity or difficulty in understanding. Example: "The instructions were almost understandable, but I still had to ask for clarification."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Actually, there is a fairly obvious and almost understandable answer to that.

Independent

If the frustration ultimately coalesced in a split-second of uncontrolled fury, it would be almost understandable.

The New York Times - Sports

But eventually we return to that wood, only now all mystery is gone: Olive's reasons are obvious and almost understandable.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A good year for animated films, many achieving high levels of artistry so it is almost understandable that this lo-fi, frantic and energetic movie was overlooked.

The Guardian - Film

Reaching the last 16 of the Champions League with a match to spare was a great achievement for us and it was almost understandable we couldn't get our effort up to its normal standard.

The Guardian - Sport

To paint the cellist Jacqueline du Pre as such a monster in Anand Tuker's HILARY AND JACKIE (1998), then to turn around and make her sympathetic and her outrageous behavior almost understandable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The plan adopted after tea was almost surreal yet it was just about understandable.

The Guardian - Sport

She soars with emotion, carrying the vehemence of stories of a time past, and is almost as understandable in German or French as she is in English.

The Guardian

But I began to see that Schindler and his Jews reduced the Holocaust to an understandable, almost human scale.

The Guardian - Film

It is days like this that almost make it understandable why the bowl executives became so greedy, the street agents are in demand and the conference commissioners are pondering superconferences.

The New York Times - Sports

One can almost hear Christine Baranski singing, "Understandable!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost understandable" to convey a nuanced sense of partial comprehension or justification, acknowledging that complete understanding may not be possible or necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "almost understandable" when something is actually completely incomprehensible. It should indicate a genuine degree of understanding, even if incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost understandable" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a degree of comprehensibility that is close to, but not fully, achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost understandable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express partial comprehension or justification. Ludwig AI confirms that it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While "almost understandable" is generally considered neutral, its nuanced meaning allows for use in professional settings. When writing, use "almost understandable" to convey a sense of near but incomplete clarity, and avoid using it when describing something completely incomprehensible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly comprehensible

Focuses on the degree of comprehensibility being close but not complete.

largely intelligible

Emphasizes that most parts are understood even if minor elements are not.

somewhat comprehensible

Indicates a partial level of understanding, less definitive than fully understandable.

approaching comprehensibility

Highlights the idea that it is getting closer to being understood but is not there yet.

understandable to a degree

Highlights that understanding is limited, not absolute.

makes a degree of sense

Emphasizes that something has elements of logic or reason.

partially justifiable

Shifts the focus to justification rather than pure understanding, implying some valid reasons exist.

almost reasonable

Similar to justifiable, but emphasizes logic and rationality.

fairly reasonable

Suggests the action or situation makes sense under the circumstances.

easy to grasp, with minor caveats

Acknowledges there might be a simple understanding, but there are small conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost understandable" to describe something that is partially, but not completely, comprehensible. For example, "His explanation was "almost understandable", but I still had some questions".

What phrases can I use instead of "almost understandable"?

Alternatives include "nearly comprehensible", "somewhat comprehensible", or "partially justifiable", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "almost understandable" grammatically correct?

Yes, "almost understandable" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate a state of near comprehension.

What's the difference between "almost understandable" and "completely understandable"?

"Almost understandable" suggests that while something is largely comprehensible, there are still aspects that are unclear. "Completely understandable" implies full comprehension without any ambiguity.