fathomable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "fathomable" is correct and is used in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that is capable of being understood or grasped. For example: "The implications of the new law were not immediately fathomable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

The internet, when it came in our teens, was welcome, exciting and fathomable, but it changed things briskly and sometimes bewilderingly.

The Guardian - Music

Inflation rates are probably more easily understood than exchange rates; they are certainly more fathomable than arcane monetary aggregates.This simplicity has been backed up by greater transparency.

The Economist

The Changing Face of China: From Mao to Market.By John Gittings.Oxford University Press; 384 pages; $30 and £18.99WHITHER China is arguably the most vital, if the least fathomable, strategic question of the 21st century.

The Economist

The implications culturally and politically are complicated and not entirely fathomable – but surely worth discussing.

Independent

She would refuse – for no fathomable reason – to pass over a particular stretch of path.

Independent

A good deal less fathomable is the character of the men who weathered storms of lead for four years that must have seemed like — and for hundreds of thousands became — eternity.

The New Yorker

He seemed to walk more deliberately than he had in the past, as if the years had weighed on him in some unfathomable way (or fathomable, absolutely fathomable, right down to the corrosive depths of his father's heart), and I slowed my pace to accommodate him, worrying over the thought that he'd done some irreparable damage to muscle, ligament, cartilage, even to the nervous system itself.

The New Yorker

Given the gains that Republicans are likely to make in next month's elections, 2013 seems the soonest that is remotely fathomable.

The New York Times

To the great credit of this new book, "Manson" is a lot more fathomable than the Guinn bibliography.

The New York Times - Books

It was Gove who refused to dismiss words as slang when they could be designated "nonstandard" or "substandard," made pronunciations more varied (the Third featured 26 ways to pronounce "lingerie," 24 more than the Second contained) and otherwise made the Third more abstruse and less fathomable.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But, most centrally, le Carré has written a book about England from the twenties to the seventies, particularly the upper-middle-class values and tone of those years, which he presents as a strange, semi-fathomable mixture of piety and duplicity.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "fathomable" to contrast it with situations that are confusing or incomprehensible, highlighting the aspect of clarity and understandability.

Common error

Avoid using "fathomable" in contexts where simpler words like "understandable" or "clear" would suffice. "Fathomable" is more appropriate for situations requiring deeper analysis or insight.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fathomable" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their quality of being understandable or comprehensible. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, affirming its role in expressing the degree to which something can be grasped.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fathomable" functions as an adjective to describe something that is capable of being understood, particularly after thoughtful consideration. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, predominantly in neutral to formal contexts such as news and media. While alternatives like "understandable" or "comprehensible" exist, "fathomable" is especially fitting when emphasizing the potential for clarity in complex situations. It's crucial to avoid overusing the word in simple contexts where more direct synonyms would suffice. By understanding its nuances and appropriate usage, writers can effectively convey the degree to which ideas and concepts can be grasped and understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understandable

Direct synonym, implying something is capable of being understood.

comprehensible

Similar to understandable, but often suggests a more thorough level of understanding.

intelligible

Emphasizes clarity and ease of understanding.

graspable

Suggests something can be easily seized or understood mentally.

clear

Simple and direct, indicating a lack of ambiguity.

accessible

Indicates something is easy to approach or understand.

transparent

Implies openness and ease of perception.

discernible

Suggests something can be perceived or recognized, often with effort.

knowable

Indicates something is capable of being known or understood.

soluble

Implies a problem or mystery that can be solved or understood.

FAQs

How can I use "fathomable" in a sentence?

You can use "fathomable" to describe something that is capable of being understood or grasped, such as: "The reasons behind his decision were not immediately "fathomable"."

What can I say instead of "fathomable"?

You can use alternatives like "understandable", "comprehensible", or "intelligible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fathomable" or "unfathomable"?

"Fathomable" means capable of being understood, while "unfathomable" means impossible to understand. The correct choice depends on the meaning you want to convey.

What is the difference between "fathomable" and "obvious"?

"Fathomable" implies that something can be understood with thought and effort, whereas "obvious" means something is easily and immediately apparent. If it requires careful thought or consideration, use "fathomable"; if it's immediately clear, use "obvious".