can barely comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can barely comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express difficulty in understanding something, often due to its complexity or obscurity. Example: "After reading the technical manual, I can barely comprehend the instructions provided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Without experiencing it you can barely comprehend it.

The New York Times - Science

This critical point of transition in the communications world has arrived at a speed we can barely comprehend.

The Guardian

Rifkind has instinctively closed ranks with people whose capacity to abuse their powers he can barely comprehend.

The Guardian - Books

Immersed in the suffering of his flock — the aliens also have hard lives — he can barely comprehend the vaster suffering back home.

The New Yorker

His works are staged with the sharpest of new technology; his imagination stalks science towards futures most of us can barely comprehend.

The Guardian

Immersed in the suffering of his flock the aliens also have hard lives he can barely comprehend the vaster suffering back home.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

In my experience teaching sex ed. to high school students in Connecticut, I've found that these students can often barely comprehend what it would even mean to consent to a sexual activity.

Huffington Post

He could barely comprehend the concept anymore.

The New York Times

She could barely comprehend what had happened, and so swiftly.

The New Yorker

Robbie Rogers took a telephone call last week and could barely comprehend the news.

The New York Times - Sports

When the two sides did meet, American diplomats said they could barely comprehend each other.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can barely comprehend", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is difficult to understand. Providing specific details can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "can barely comprehend" when the situation implies a complete lack of understanding. The phrase suggests a partial, rather than total, inability to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can barely comprehend" functions as a verb phrase expressing a limited ability to understand something. It indicates that comprehension is possible but significantly impaired. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing difficulties with complex or abstract concepts. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can barely comprehend" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a limited ability to understand something. Ludwig's analysis reveals it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, used to convey difficulty in grasping complex concepts. While alternatives like "can hardly understand" and "struggle to grasp" offer similar meanings, it's important to use the phrase accurately, ensuring the context implies a partial, rather than complete, lack of understanding. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can hardly understand

Replaces "barely" with "hardly", offering a slightly more formal tone while maintaining the same core meaning.

can scarcely grasp

Emphasizes the difficulty of understanding with the word "scarcely".

struggle to grasp

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more active expression, indicating effort in understanding.

can't quite fathom

Uses "fathom" for a slightly more colorful expression of understanding.

find it difficult to understand

Replaces the phrase with a more descriptive and less idiomatic expression.

have trouble understanding

Indicates a problem or difficulty in the process of understanding something.

are unable to fully understand

A more formal way of expressing the limited understanding.

are hard-pressed to understand

Highlights the challenging nature of the act of understanding.

have a limited understanding of

Focuses on the limited nature of the understanding.

are at a loss to understand

Expresses confusion and an inability to find an explanation.

FAQs

What does "can barely comprehend" mean?

The phrase "can barely comprehend" means having difficulty understanding something, suggesting a partial or limited understanding rather than a complete lack of understanding.

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

You can use "can barely comprehend" to express difficulty in understanding complex or abstract concepts. For example: "After reading the report, I "can barely comprehend" the implications of the new policy."

What can I say instead of "can barely comprehend"?

You can use alternatives like "can hardly understand", "struggle to grasp", or "find it difficult to understand depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "can't barely comprehend"?

No, "can't barely comprehend" is grammatically incorrect because "can't" (cannot) and "barely" both express a negative meaning, creating a double negative. The correct phrase is ""can barely comprehend"".