fail to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

'fail to comprehend' is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone's inability to understand something that has been said or written. For example: "Despite her best efforts to explain the concepts, many of her students failed to comprehend the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

And, as we saw yesterday, they often fail to comprehend personal responsibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

The problem, she points out, is that we humans fail to comprehend our collective effect the planet.

The New York Times - Science

Groups representing victims of priests say such attitudes fail to comprehend the depth of the victims' pain.

The New York Times

"When juries fail to comprehend the monstrous scale of a police officer's murder, they fail society itself," Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said in a statement.

The New York Times

This conflict within the conflict is something that many on Europe's left, as they ally themselves with unsavory forces, still fail to comprehend.

The New York Times

(Incidentally, this is hardly my area of expertise, but I fail to comprehend why any sane 21st-century human would refuse an epidural.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Clara was singing something that I strained to hear, and failed to comprehend.

The New Yorker

Like Mary, Joseph failed to comprehend Jesus' ironic question, " 'How is it that you sought me?

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the time, Cecil failed to comprehend the sheikh's ambitions for his homeland.

Independent

No matter whom she spoke with, it seemed as if each person failed to comprehend what Totonno's signified.

The New York Times - Food

Mr. Gold can be alternately charming and combative if a listener fails to comprehend a point quickly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fail to comprehend" when you want to express a lack of understanding, especially when the subject is complex or abstract. For example, "Many people fail to comprehend the complexities of quantum physics."

Common error

Avoid using "fail to comprehend" in very simple contexts where "not understand" is more appropriate. Overly formal language can sometimes obscure your meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to comprehend" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an inability or lack of understanding. As shown by Ludwig, it frequently appears with a subject and object, expressing that someone or something is unable to grasp a particular concept or idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

17%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to comprehend" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of understanding. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media and science. While simpler alternatives like "not understand" exist, "fail to comprehend" is suitable for emphasizing complexity. When writing, remember to use it where a formal register is appropriate, and avoid overuse in overly simple contexts. Examples provided by Ludwig help showcase the versatility and correct usage of this phrase. It’s worth noting that less formal alternatives such as "not get" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not understand

A simpler and more direct way of expressing a lack of comprehension.

not realize

Emphasizes a failure to become fully aware or understand something.

not grasp

Focuses on the inability to seize or understand an idea.

not fathom

Suggests a deeper, more complex lack of understanding.

misunderstand

Implies a wrong interpretation, rather than a complete lack of understanding.

not perceive

Focuses on the inability to become aware of something through the senses or the mind.

be unaware of

Indicates a lack of knowledge or consciousness.

not appreciate

Highlights a failure to recognize the value or importance of something.

be oblivious to

Emphasizes a lack of awareness or consciousness of something.

remain ignorant of

Highlights a state of not knowing or being informed about something.

FAQs

How can I use "fail to comprehend" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to comprehend" to describe someone's inability to understand something, such as "The students failed to comprehend the lecture."

What's a simpler way to say "fail to comprehend"?

Alternatives include "not understand", "not grasp", or "not realize", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "fail to comprehend"?

"Fail to comprehend" is suitable when discussing complex ideas or when emphasizing a significant lack of understanding. It suggests a deeper level of incomprehension than simply "not understanding."

Is "fail to comprehend" formal or informal?

"Fail to comprehend" leans toward the formal side. In informal settings, phrases like "not get" or "not understand" are more common.