can be comprehended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'can be comprehended' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something can be understood. For example: "The professor's instructions, although initially difficult to understand, can be comprehended with some effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Furthermore, true Christian doctrines are neither mysterious nor self-contradictory, and nearly all can be comprehended by human beings.

SEP

As this nature is found only under the spell of ignorance, it can be comprehended only under the conventional cognitive processes of ordinary beings, and of unenlightened noble beings in their post meditative equipoise.

SEP

Such failures can be comprehended when the effort is noble.

The New York Times - Food

Complex as our genome is, it obviously can be comprehended: our cells do it every day.

The New York Times - Science

Integrated chain management can be comprehended as supply chain management that takes environmental and social issues into account.

Journal of Cleaner Production

And yet, perhaps because it is so vast and complex, it is a story that can be comprehended only in its fine-grained, human particulars.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Plus, kinetics and rate of the reaction, and changes in the number and strength of reactive adsorption sites and also needed activation energy for destruction can be comprehend from above-mentioned evaluation.

International Nano Letters

Local landscape change can only be comprehended when situated in its general geographical context and with all its related dynamics.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Often speaking directly to camera, Brand lectures viewers on the subject of income inequality, hurling more facts and figures than can really be comprehended in one viewing.

The Guardian - Film

My father's house, too, is now worth more money than can easily be comprehended, and my husband and I must search elsewhere to buy a home and raise a family.

The New York Times

The discussion argues that what comes out in the relationship between the order-imposing planning system and the regulation-flouting youth is a situation that can largely be comprehended by turning to the non-progressive side of planning.

Geoforum

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be comprehended" when you want to emphasize that something is capable of being understood, often after some effort or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "can be comprehended" in situations where simpler alternatives like "can be understood" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be comprehended" functions as a passive construction indicating the potential for understanding something. It specifies that a subject is capable of being understood, often implying a degree of effort or explanation is required for that understanding to occur, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

28%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can be comprehended" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something has the potential to be understood, often after some effort or explanation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in scientific, academic, and news-related contexts. While phrases like "can be understood" offer simpler alternatives, "can be comprehended" brings a nuance of potential intellectual achievement. When writing, favor "can be comprehended" if you want to specify that the understanding requires effort or a deeper dive. But in general, remember to be mindful about overusing it, particularly when something simpler would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be understood

Focuses on general understanding, less formal.

can be grasped

Emphasizes mental apprehension or quick understanding.

can be apprehended

Suggests a more formal or intuitive understanding.

can be perceived

Highlights sensory or observational understanding.

can be discerned

Implies careful or insightful understanding.

can be appreciated

Indicates understanding with a sense of value or recognition.

can be fathomed

Suggests a deeper, more thorough understanding.

can be deciphered

Focuses on understanding something that is obscured or unclear.

can be interpreted

Emphasizes subjective understanding or assigning meaning.

is within one's comprehension

A more complex structure to convey the same meaning.

FAQs

What is the difference between "can be comprehended" and "can be understood"?

"Can be comprehended" implies a more thorough or effortful understanding, while "can be understood" suggests a more general or immediate understanding.

How can I use "can be comprehended" in a sentence?

You might say, "The complex scientific theory can be comprehended with careful study" or "The historical context can be comprehended by examining primary sources."

What are some synonyms for "can be comprehended"?

Alternatives include "can be grasped", "can be perceived", or "can be fathomed", each carrying slightly different nuances of understanding.

Is "can be comprehended" formal or informal?

"Can be comprehended" leans towards the formal side. In informal contexts, phrases like "can be understood" are often more appropriate.