dull of comprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dull of comprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has difficulty understanding or grasping concepts. Example: "Despite his efforts to explain the theory, she remained dull of comprehension, unable to follow the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Petare is an astounding maze of improvised brick cliff dwellings, many of them multistory, all of them beyond the dull comprehension of building codes.

The New Yorker

Marr's lack of comprehension was tangible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Matters of comprehension and artistic quality didn't concern us.

The New York Times - Books

'What you now say passes my poor powers of comprehension.

The Guardian

"Saved—?" A species of comprehension settled into her eyes.

The New Yorker

Struggling to complete the full circuit of comprehension.

Vice

What happened to her bends the limits of comprehension.

Vice

An amazing emotional place of comprehension, reflection and enlightenment.

Huffington Post

The development of comprehension skills.

Annals of Dyslexia

The lexical bases of comprehension skill.

Annals of Dyslexia

Therefore methods of comprehension probing were utilised.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dull of comprehension", consider the context and audience. While grammatically correct, it may sound somewhat archaic or formal. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives like "slow to understand" or "lacking understanding" in everyday conversation or less formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "dull of comprehension" in informal contexts. Its somewhat formal tone might sound out of place or pretentious in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives are usually more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dull of comprehension" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (often a person) to indicate a lack of understanding or slow intellectual processing. Ludwig's examples show it being used to describe a state of incomprehension.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dull of comprehension" is a grammatically correct, though somewhat uncommon, way to describe someone who is slow to understand or lacks intellectual acuity. While Ludwig confirms its grammatical validity, simpler and more direct alternatives like "slow to understand" or "lacking understanding" are often preferred in contemporary usage, particularly in informal contexts. Therefore, consider your audience and the desired level of formality when choosing to use this phrase. Using this in news articles or encyclopedias is acceptable while using it in casual conversation may sound pretentious or old-fashioned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lacking in understanding

Emphasizes the absence of understanding.

Unable to grasp

Focuses on the inability to understand or comprehend.

Slow to understand

Focuses on the speed of understanding rather than the capacity.

Slow on the uptake

Similar to "not quick on the uptake", emphasizing slowness.

Struggling to comprehend

Highlights the effort required to understand, suggesting difficulty.

Intellectually limited

A more formal way of describing someone with reduced cognitive abilities.

Not quick on the uptake

Highlights the time it takes for someone to understand something.

Deficient in understanding

A more formal and academic way to express a lack of understanding.

Dense

Suggests a slowness or inability to grasp complex ideas.

Dim-witted

An informal and often derogatory term for someone unintelligent.

FAQs

How can I use "dull of comprehension" in a sentence?

You can use "dull of comprehension" to describe someone who has difficulty understanding something. For example: "Despite the teacher's explanation, the student remained "dull of comprehension"".

What's a simpler way to say "dull of comprehension"?

Alternatives include "slow to understand", "lacking in understanding", or simply "unable to grasp". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "dull of comprehension" considered formal or informal?

"Dull of comprehension" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversation, it's generally better to use more common alternatives like "slow to understand" or "not very bright".

Is it correct to say "dull in comprehension" instead of "dull of comprehension"?

While "dull of comprehension" is the more established phrase, "dull in comprehension" is less common but still understandable. However, sticking with "dull of comprehension" is generally recommended for better clarity and adherence to standard usage.