barely comprehensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely comprehensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to understand or only partially clear. Example: "The instructions were so poorly written that they were barely comprehensible to the average reader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

For Mary, evil is barely comprehensible, and good intentions matter.

The New Yorker

MINUSES -- The surrounding intrigue is jumbled and barely comprehensible.

The New York Times

In required fantasy form, Mitchell stages a battle royal, popping with barely comprehensible patois.

The New Yorker

Barely comprehensible, it looks like a form of bizarre scaffolding or an enlarged strain of DNA.

The New York Times

The outcome is sometimes barely comprehensible, but gives a rough idea of what is possible.

The Guardian

But the interview segments were buried in the mix and often barely comprehensible.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Often they have tried computing books and have found them barely more comprehensible than the keyboard's row of function keys.

The New York Times - Tech

Their fellow draftees come from all over Italy, and there is a constant joshing between them about the supposed vices of their various regions, much of it in local dialects that are often barely mutually comprehensible.

The New York Times - Arts

Far more interesting -- though barely more comprehensible -- are two brief stories by Moyshe Leib Halpern, better known as a poet, which resemble the surrealism of Russian futurist Daniil Kharms.

Huffington Post

/ I'm just here to try to give you directions, and instead I'm all shitfaced, and I can barely get out a comprehensible word.

The New Yorker

This set isn't comprehensive, then, but it is surprisingly comprehensible; Trio's German robo-pop fits next to the Gap Band's robotic R & B. Oddly enough, it turns out that some parts of the 1980's were more "eighties" than others: the first six discs barely progress past the end of 1985, while the seventh gathers together a few hits from the rest of the decade.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "barely comprehensible" with a brief explanation of why something is difficult to understand. For example: "The instructions were barely comprehensible, due to the use of technical jargon."

Common error

While "barely comprehensible" is acceptable, overuse in formal or professional contexts can suggest a lack of precision. In such cases, consider using more specific alternatives like "ambiguous", "poorly defined", or "lacking clarity" to more accurately convey the nature of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "barely comprehensible" is as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, describing a noun. It indicates the degree to which something can be understood. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples where it modifies nouns such as "patois", "vocals", and "notes".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely comprehensible" is a common adjective phrase used to describe something that is difficult to understand, but not entirely incomprehensible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media. When using this phrase, consider the context and audience, and provide additional clarification if necessary. Alternatives such as "scarcely understandable" or "hardly intelligible" may be suitable depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. While versatile, avoid overusing the phrase in formal writing to maintain precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely understandable

Replaces "comprehensible" with "understandable", implying a slight shift in formality but maintaining the core meaning.

hardly intelligible

Substitutes "comprehensible" with "intelligible", focusing on the ability to be understood due to clarity of expression.

difficult to understand

Rephrases the idea using a more direct and common construction, emphasizing the effort required to understand.

not easily grasped

Focuses on the cognitive effort required to "grasp" or comprehend something, suggesting a mental challenge.

murky and confusing

Describes the subject as unclear and disorienting, emphasizing the lack of clarity.

vague and ambiguous

Highlights the lack of precision and multiple possible interpretations, making understanding difficult.

tenuous understanding

Suggests that comprehension is fragile or uncertain, easily lost or misinterpreted.

partially obscured

Emphasizes that understanding is blocked or hidden to some extent, implying a need to uncover or clarify.

imperfectly clear

Highlights the lack of perfect clarity, indicating that some aspects remain uncertain or undefined.

opaque and impenetrable

Suggests that understanding is blocked completely, like trying to see through something solid.

FAQs

How can I use "barely comprehensible" in a sentence?

You can use "barely comprehensible" to describe something that is difficult to understand. For example, "The legal document was written in language that was "barely comprehensible" to the average person."

What are some alternatives to "barely comprehensible"?

Some alternatives include "scarcely understandable", "hardly intelligible", or "difficult to understand". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "barely comprehensible" or "incomprehensible"?

"Barely comprehensible" suggests that something is just understandable enough to get a vague idea, while "incomprehensible" means it's impossible to understand. Choose the term that accurately reflects the degree of understanding possible.

What makes something "barely comprehensible"?

Something might be "barely comprehensible" due to complex language, poor organization, technical jargon, or a lack of context. For example, a heavily redacted report might be "barely comprehensible" due to the missing information.