being able to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being able to comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the capacity or ability to understand something, often in educational or cognitive contexts. Example: "Being able to comprehend complex texts is essential for success in higher education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Or, to put it another way, we should be aware of the 'paywall' put on being able to comprehend a science paper, not just how much it might cost to download it.

The Guardian

Beyond not being able to comprehend why a beloved relative lost his life, in what should have been a safe and controlled environment, these families are further and deeply wounded by the seeming indifference of the state towards the death of another black man.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just like coding or media literacy are seen as today's essential skills, being able to comprehend and affect intelligent systems will be an essential skill for tomorrow.

TechCrunch

Asked about a memorandum that discussed the possibility of a sliding scale for the commissions Sotheby's or Christie's might charge sellers of art and collectibles, Ainslie answered: "I can't imagine [Taubman] being able to comprehend this conversation.

Forbes

Now researchers have found that the brains of three-finger readers, instead of treating sensory input from each finger as coming from a distinct channel, appear to blur all the input together--like listening to three revolutions of a 45-rpm record simultaneously and still being able to comprehend the lyrics.

Science Magazine

Understanding poetry - and creativity in general - depends on being able to comprehend this diversity among poets, as among practitioners of virtually every other intellectual activity.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

New words are created every day by people who are able to comprehend their meanings before they exist.

The New Yorker

Individuals with this form of aphasia are able to comprehend speech but have great difficulty expressing their thoughts.

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".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being able to comprehend" when you want to emphasize the capacity or capability to understand something, especially when discussing cognitive abilities or learning processes. For example, "Being able to comprehend complex scientific papers is crucial for researchers."

Common error

Avoid using "being able to comprehend" in situations where a simpler word like "understand" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex and less natural. For example, instead of "Being able to comprehend the instructions is important", simply write "Understanding the instructions is important."

Linguistic Context

Being able to comprehend functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It often serves as the subject of a sentence or clause, indicating the capacity or ability to understand something. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, signifying a capability or potential for understanding, as demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being able to comprehend" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the capacity to understand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is acceptable for use in written English. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "understanding", it finds frequent usage in news, scientific, and academic contexts where the emphasis on capability is relevant. When writing, consider whether the formal tone and emphasis on capacity are necessary, or if a more straightforward term would suffice. The key is to use the phrase deliberately to convey the specific nuance of possessing the ability to understand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having the capacity to understand

Replaces "being able" with "having the capacity", emphasizing possession of the ability.

possessing the ability to grasp

Substitutes "comprehend" with "grasp", implying a more immediate and intuitive understanding.

capable of understanding

Uses "capable of" instead of "being able", providing a more formal tone.

able to grasp

Shortens the phrase by removing "being", making it more concise.

in a position to understand

Emphasizes the situational aspect of understanding, suggesting the right circumstances are present.

having the faculty of understanding

Replaces "ability" with "faculty", indicating an inherent mental power.

competent to understand

Implies a level of skill or competence in understanding.

able to make sense of

Replaces "comprehend" with a more informal expression, "make sense of".

equipped to understand

Highlights the preparation or tools necessary for understanding.

prepared to comprehend

Suggests a state of readiness or mental preparation for understanding.

FAQs

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

The phrase "being able to comprehend" is used to describe the capacity or ability to understand something. For example, "Being able to comprehend the text is essential for passing the exam."

What can I say instead of "being able to comprehend"?

You can use alternatives like "having the capacity to understand", "capable of understanding", or "able to grasp" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "being able to comprehend" or "understanding"?

"Being able to comprehend" tends to be more formal than simply "understanding". "Understanding" is often preferred in everyday language for its simplicity and directness.

What is the difference between "being able to comprehend" and "knowing"?

"Being able to comprehend" implies a deeper level of understanding and processing of information, while "knowing" simply means having information. You might know facts without "being able to comprehend" their implications.