cannot fathom why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot fathom why" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing confusion or inability to understand a reason or explanation. Example: "I cannot fathom why she would choose to leave the job." Alternative expressions include "cannot understand why" and "cannot comprehend why."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"I cannot fathom why it has taken so long.

The Guardian

I cannot fathom why it has ever been alright to treat women this way".

The Guardian

She still cannot fathom why she sacrificed her old home to see nothing replace it.

The New York Times

I cannot fathom why the Israeli military sanctioned the boarding of a vessel that it knew was filled with extremists.

The New York Times

3. Premier League fine for Blackpool is farcical I cannot fathom why the Premier League would fine Ian Holloway for changing his Blackpool team against Aston Villa.

Independent

More to the point, I cannot fathom why this dreary hillbilly romance is onstage at Soho Rep, one of the city's more prestigious incubators of avant-garde theater.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

I cannot fathom out why we can't see each other as human beings.

The Guardian

After it is all over Mrs. Macaulay still cannot fathom just why she and her mother do that to each other.

The New Yorker

Although I know Pauline better than anyone, even I cannot fathom out why she made up the brain tumour story".

Wikipedia

He cannot quite fathom why his combat uniform is different from that of other American servicemen in the field, depending on whether they are members of the army, the air force or the marines.

The Economist

I cannot fathom how and why The New York Times can describe the stoning of people on the roads as a "rite of passage".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot fathom why" when you want to express a strong sense of disbelief or incomprehension about a situation or decision. It adds a touch of formality compared to simply saying "I don't understand why".

Common error

Avoid using "cannot fathom why" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or even pretentious in everyday informal settings; simpler alternatives like "don't get why" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot fathom why" functions as an expression of incomprehension or disbelief. It indicates the speaker's inability to understand the reason behind a particular action, decision, or situation. As supported by Ludwig, this expression appears in various contexts to convey a strong sense of bewilderment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot fathom why" is a phrase used to express a strong sense of incomprehension or disbelief. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent use in news and media contexts. While it can add a touch of formality, it is generally suitable for neutral communication. When aiming for a more casual tone, consider simpler alternatives like "don't understand why". Keep in mind that "cannot fathom why" effectively conveys bewilderment and a challenge to the logic behind a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot understand why

Direct synonym, replacing "fathom" with a more common word for understanding.

cannot comprehend why

"Comprehend" implies a slightly more formal understanding than "fathom".

cannot grasp why

"Grasp" suggests a more immediate, intuitive understanding.

fail to understand why

Emphasizes the lack of understanding rather than the ability to understand.

struggle to understand why

Highlights the effort involved in trying to understand the reason.

find it impossible to understand why

Emphasizes the extreme difficulty in understanding.

am at a loss to explain why

Indicates a lack of explanation rather than understanding.

it's beyond my understanding why

Highlights that something exceeds one's ability to understand.

have no idea why

A more casual expression of not knowing the reason.

I'm baffled as to why

"Baffled" suggests confusion and bewilderment.

FAQs

What does "cannot fathom why" mean?

It means you are completely unable to understand the reason for something. It suggests a sense of bewilderment or disbelief.

Is "cannot fathom why" formal or informal?

It leans towards the formal side, although it's used in news and media as well. In very casual conversations, simpler alternatives might be preferable.

What can I say instead of "cannot fathom why"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot understand why", "cannot grasp why", or "fail to understand why" depending on the context.

How to use "cannot fathom why" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "I cannot fathom why the company decided to implement such a drastic change without consulting its employees first."