impossible to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that cannot be comprehended or grasped. Example: "The instructions were so convoluted that they were impossible to understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clearly too it is impossible to understand Jamestown without understanding the fate of Indian tribes.

The New York Times - Arts

It is impossible to understand modern Russia without understanding its natural gas monopoly, Gazprom.

Forbes

It is virtually impossible to understand American politics without understanding the book that drives their priorities.

HuffPost

Without understanding science, it is impossible to understand scientific theories.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Ultimately impossible to understand.

The New York Times - Books

It's impossible to understand.

The New York Times

He's almost impossible to understand.

The Washington Post

It's almost impossible to understand Mr. Beitzel.

The New York Times

Because it's impossible to understand it".

The New Yorker

And even this isn't impossible to understand.

The Washington Post

"I find this impossible to understand," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impossible to understand", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the lack of understanding: complexity, lack of information, or inherent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to understand" when "difficult to understand" or "hard to grasp" more accurately reflects the situation. The phrase suggests a complete barrier to comprehension, which may not always be the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to understand" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing something that cannot be comprehended or grasped. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impossible to understand" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a complete lack of comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in diverse contexts. Analysis of the provided data reveals its frequent use in news and media, alongside scientific and academic sources. While alternatives like "incomprehensible" or "unfathomable" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly identifies the cause of the lack of understanding and to avoid overstating the impossibility when mere difficulty is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incomprehensible

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and difficulty in making sense of something.

unfathomable

Highlights the depth of complexity that makes understanding nearly impossible.

beyond comprehension

Focuses on the inherent limits of human understanding.

eludes understanding

Suggests that understanding is actively avoided or is just out of reach.

defies explanation

Highlights that something cannot be explained or understood with current knowledge.

baffles explanation

Similar to 'defies explanation', but suggests confusion or bewilderment.

difficult to grasp

Indicates a struggle in mentally seizing or understanding something.

hard to make sense of

Focuses on the effort required to derive meaning from something.

beyond my understanding

Personalizes the lack of comprehension, stating it's beyond one's individual ability.

remains a mystery

Implies something is puzzling and unsolved, thus not understood.

FAQs

How can I use "impossible to understand" in a sentence?

Use "impossible to understand" to describe something that presents a complete barrier to comprehension. For example, "The professor's explanation was so complex that it was impossible to understand."

What are some alternatives to "impossible to understand"?

You can use alternatives like "incomprehensible", "unfathomable", or "difficult to grasp" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "impossible to understand" or "hard to understand"?

Both phrases are correct, but they convey different degrees of difficulty. "Impossible to understand" suggests a complete lack of comprehension, while "hard to understand" indicates difficulty but not necessarily impossibility.

What's the difference between "impossible to understand" and "difficult to understand"?

"Impossible to understand" describes something that cannot be comprehended at all. "Difficult to understand" describes something that requires effort and may or may not be fully understood.