beyond our comprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beyond our comprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is too complex or difficult for someone to understand. Example: "The vastness of the universe is often considered to be beyond our comprehension."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Animals represent the irrational, unknown, unpredictable element because their logic is different from ours and often beyond our comprehension," explains the artist.

Huffington Post

It's beyond our comprehension".

The New York Times

"His enduring survival is beyond our comprehension.

The Guardian

That is a scale of disaster beyond our comprehension.

The Guardian

"It goes beyond our comprehension to understand the killing of six million Jews," Mr. Demnig said.

The New York Times - Arts

The extent and the efficiency of his genius is totally beyond our comprehension.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Beyond comprehension," "beyond our worst imaginings," "beyond belief" -- those were the phrases heard again and again in the last two days.

The New York Times - Arts

Our creations are certain to grow far beyond our current comprehension: how far and how fast is perhaps our most urgent existential question.

The Guardian - Tech

Leaving aside some curious other elements of that debut – such as the Hulk being intended to be grey, but ending up green through colouring problems – what's repeatedly emphasised is that gamma rays are "powerful forces" beyond our full comprehension or control.

BBC

Something beyond our collective comprehension.

Huffington Post

ART today is the world and the world today by itself is ART beyond our mere comprehension.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about complex or abstract concepts, use "beyond our comprehension" to acknowledge the limits of human understanding and encourage humility in the face of the unknown.

Common error

Avoid using "beyond our comprehension" when simpler phrases like "difficult to understand" or "unclear" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beyond our comprehension" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that the subject being described is impossible or extremely difficult for people to understand. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "beyond our comprehension" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe something difficult or impossible for humans to fully understand. As Ludwig confirms, its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news, media, and science. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic in simpler contexts. Related phrases include "outside our understanding" and "unfathomable to us". Understanding when and how to use this phrase effectively can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outside our understanding

Highlights the boundary of our current knowledge or comprehension.

unfathomable to us

Emphasizes the inability to fully explore or understand something, highlighting the depth of the mystery.

exceeding our cognitive limits

Highlights the boundary of our cognitive abilities, implying that something is too complex for us to process.

inscrutable to our minds

Focuses on the inability of our minds to decipher or understand, suggesting a hidden or obscure nature.

past our intellectual capacity

Emphasizes the limits of our intellectual abilities to comprehend something.

elusive to our grasp

Suggests that something is difficult to seize or understand, slipping away from our attempts to comprehend it.

transcending our awareness

Suggests that something exists beyond our conscious perception or understanding.

imperceptible to our senses

Focuses on the idea that something cannot be detected or understood through our senses.

a mystery to us

A more straightforward way of saying that something is not understood; lacks the intensity of "beyond our comprehension".

not within our ken

Uses a slightly archaic term to indicate that something is outside of our knowledge or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "beyond our comprehension" in a sentence?

You can use "beyond our comprehension" to describe subjects or concepts that are too complex or abstract for humans to fully understand. For instance, "The scale of the universe is often described as "beyond our comprehension"".

What phrases are similar to "beyond our comprehension"?

Similar phrases include "outside our understanding", "unfathomable to us", and "inscrutable to our minds". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "beyond my comprehension"?

Yes, "beyond my comprehension" is grammatically correct. It simply personalizes the statement, indicating that something is difficult for you, specifically, to understand. The phrase "beyond our comprehension" refers to a general difficulty for people as a whole to grasp something.

Can "beyond our comprehension" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "beyond our comprehension" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing abstract or complex subjects in science, philosophy, or theology. The phrase is used by credible sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and academic journals.