hard to fathom

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to fathom" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You would typically use it when you want to indicate that something is difficult to understand. For example, "Her motivations for leaving the company are hard to fathom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hard to fathom.

The New York Times

The contrast was hard to fathom.

The New York Times

The reason is not hard to fathom.

The Economist

Exactly why is hard to fathom.

The Economist

Amenábar's intentions are hard to fathom.

Independent

The weight is hard to fathom.

The New York Times

It is not hard to fathom why.

The Economist

Frankly, it's hard to fathom.

The New York Times

It's hard to fathom Akon.

The Guardian - Music

"It is hard to fathom".

The New York Times - Books

"It's hard to fathom," Azeff said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's confusion or inability to understand a situation, "hard to fathom" can effectively convey their internal state.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to fathom" in very informal or casual settings, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "difficult to understand" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to fathom" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is difficult to understand or comprehend. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples in its database.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to fathom" is a versatile phrase used to express difficulty in understanding or comprehending something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this grammatically correct phrase is frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as some formal business communication. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the audience and setting to ensure appropriate usage. For more casual settings, alternatives like "difficult to understand" may be more fitting. The phrase is often used to convey perplexity, bewilderment, or the speaker's inability to fully grasp a concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to understand

Replaces "fathom" with the more common word "understand", making the phrase slightly more accessible.

difficult to comprehend

Substitutes "fathom" with the more formal "comprehend", increasing the level of formality.

difficult to grasp

Uses "grasp" as a more informal alternative to "fathom", indicating a struggle to understand.

beyond comprehension

Emphasizes the incomprehensibility of something, suggesting it's impossible to understand.

unintelligible

Highlights that something is impossible to understand because it is not expressed clearly.

puzzling

Highlights that something causes confusion or perplexity due to its complexity.

hard to believe

Shifts the focus to believability rather than understanding, implying something is so surprising it's difficult to accept.

enigmatic

Indicates that something is mysterious and difficult to interpret.

inscrutable

Implies that something is impossible to understand because it hides its true nature or meaning.

elusive

Suggests that something is hard to pinpoint or capture, whether physically or intellectually.

FAQs

How can I use "hard to fathom" in a sentence?

You can use "hard to fathom" to describe something that is difficult to understand or believe. For example, "It's "hard to fathom" why he would do such a thing".

What are some alternatives to "hard to fathom"?

Some alternatives include "difficult to understand", "difficult to comprehend", or "beyond comprehension". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "hard to fathom" formal or informal?

"Hard to fathom" sits in a somewhat neutral to slightly formal register. While not overly academic, it's more sophisticated than very casual alternatives. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "hard to fathom" and "hard to believe"?

"Hard to fathom" emphasizes difficulty in understanding something, while "hard to believe" highlights disbelief or incredulity. "Hard to fathom" focuses on a cognitive challenge, while "hard to believe" focuses on acceptance.