be able to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be able to comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's capacity to understand or grasp information or concepts. Example: "In order to succeed in this course, students must be able to comprehend complex theories and apply them in practical situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This man," said Bernard, "presumes to be able to comprehend by human reason the entirety of God".

Encyclopedia Britannica

A half-century later, MP3-equipped Americans may not be able to comprehend the significance of that.

The New York Times

"We will never be able to comprehend the senseless nature of their deaths, the total disregard shown for human life and that no remorse has ever been shown".

Independent

"I don't think he'd be able to comprehend it," said Tim Mara's grandson, John, a current co-owner of the Giants.

The New York Times - Sports

Buried in the faulty rhetoric of intelligent design theory is the presumption that the human mind should be able to comprehend everything about the world.

The New York Times

I daresay he would not be able to comprehend the stitching of a patchwork quilt, just for the sake of making beauty.

The Guardian - Books

Banks should not be allowed to build, sell or own overly complex financial products – clients should be able to comprehend what they buy and investors understand the balance sheet.

The Guardian - Business

However optimistic (but realistic) we may be about her long-term development, we know that she will never be able to comprehend the subject of birth control or any other strategic issue about her future.

The Guardian

If I tell them while they are children and see the world in black and white, good and bad, how will they be able to comprehend the complexity of Tony?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Back in 1802, Thomas Jefferson beseeched his Treasury secretary to adopt finances for America "as clear and intelligible as a merchant's books" so that "every man of any mind in the union should be able to comprehend them".

The New York Times

Those against may not be able to comprehend how such a compassionate-sounding man can give the signal (by taking off his glasses) that it's time for the executioners to let the deadly chemicals flow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be able to comprehend" when emphasizing the capacity or ability to understand something, particularly complex or abstract concepts. It implies a level of mental processing beyond simple recognition.

Common error

While "be able to comprehend" is perfectly correct, avoid using it in very casual conversations where simpler phrases like "understand" or "get" might be more appropriate. Overly formal language can sometimes sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be able to comprehend" functions as a verb phrase expressing the capacity to understand or grasp something. It indicates a level of cognitive ability. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, from understanding complex theories to interpreting multimodal texts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be able to comprehend" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to express the capacity to understand or grasp something, often implying a deeper level of understanding than simply "understand". As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and formal settings, but it's generally considered neutral to formal in register. While alternatives like "be capable of understanding" and "be able to grasp" exist, "be able to comprehend" is particularly fitting when discussing complex or abstract concepts. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing between "be able to comprehend" and simpler alternatives to maintain a natural and appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be capable of understanding

Replaces "able to" with "capable of", emphasizing inherent capacity. Semantic similarity is very high.

be able to grasp

Synonymous to "be able to comprehend" with the verb "grasp". Semantic similarity is very high.

have the capacity to grasp

Substitutes "comprehend" with "grasp", focusing on mental acquisition. Semantic similarity is high.

be in a position to understand

Indicates that circumstances allow for understanding. Changes the focus to situational enablement. Semantic similarity is high.

be equipped to understand

Suggests having the necessary tools or knowledge to understand. Adds a preparatory element. Semantic similarity is medium.

be prepared to understand

Suggests readiness and willingness to understand. Adds a degree of intentionality. Semantic similarity is medium.

be intelligent enough to understand

Highlights the required intelligence to understand. Adds the element of cognitive ability to the expression. Semantic similarity is medium.

be apt to understand

Indicates a natural tendency to understand. Emphasizes inherent inclination. Semantic similarity is medium.

have the acumen to understand

Replaces "comprehend" with a more sophisticated term, "acumen", indicating a higher level of insight. Semantic similarity is medium.

be astute enough to understand

Highlights astuteness as a prerequisite for understanding. Focuses on keen awareness. Semantic similarity is medium.

FAQs

How can I use "be able to comprehend" in a sentence?

You can use "be able to comprehend" to describe someone's capacity to understand complex information. For example, "Students must "be able to comprehend" abstract theories to succeed in this course".

What are some alternatives to "be able to comprehend"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be capable of understanding", "be able to grasp", or "have the capacity to grasp", which all convey a similar meaning of understanding or grasping something.

Is it better to say "be able to comprehend" or simply "understand"?

"Be able to comprehend" often implies a deeper level of understanding than simply "understand". Use ""be able to comprehend"" when discussing complex concepts or abstract ideas that require significant mental processing.

What is the difference between "be able to comprehend" and "be able to interpret"?

"Be able to comprehend" means to understand the meaning of something, while "be able to interpret" means to explain or understand the meaning of something in a particular way. Comprehending is about grasping the inherent meaning, while interpreting is about assigning meaning or significance.