inability to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'inability to comprehend' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who cannot understand something. For example, "Due to his disability, he has an inability to comprehend the more complex mathematics concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Inability to comprehend driving laws?

The New York Times - Magazine

Trump's arguments may be based in an inability to comprehend the workings of international trade.

The Washington Post

Maybe a current generation's inability to comprehend war is a hopeful sign.

The New York Times - Arts

This intense disregard for women, this inability to comprehend their talents or inner lives, was typical.

The Guardian - Books

They have an innate sense of curiosity matched with the inability to comprehend danger.

The Guardian - Opinion

The story also reminds that with trauma comes the inability to comprehend in rational terms.

The Guardian - Opinion

He invited me to eat with him, to discuss my inability to comprehend the distinction, but I begged off.

The New York Times - Magazine

And then there was his inability to comprehend the despair and self-negation he inflicted on others.

The New Yorker

Here Yehoshua is concerned with the inadequacies in our quotidian sense of history, our inability to comprehend its violent grandeur.

The New York Times - Books

But the drama hinges on their (and our) inability to comprehend even the signs he makes on walls.

Independent

On the other, our progressive cosmopolitanism tends toward an inability to comprehend the deep desire for the familiar and the parochial; the ordinary.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inability to comprehend" when indicating a fundamental lack of capacity rather than a temporary failure to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "inability to comprehend" in overly simplistic contexts. Simpler phrases like "doesn't understand" or "can't grasp" are often more appropriate for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inability to comprehend" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state or condition of lacking the capacity to understand something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a correct and usable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inability to comprehend" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes a deficiency in understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and formal contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "lack of understanding" or "failure to grasp" exist, "inability to comprehend" is particularly useful in situations requiring a more precise or technical tone. When using it, consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended level of formality and the audience's understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Incapacity to understand

Uses a more formal tone to denote the lack of ability to understand.

Limited comprehension

Highlights that there is some, but not full, comprehension.

Lack of understanding

Emphasizes the absence of understanding, focusing on the result rather than the capacity.

Failure to grasp

Highlights the unsuccessful attempt to understand something.

Difficulty in understanding

Focuses on the struggle or challenge involved in comprehending.

Inability to process

Focuses on the failure to mentally process information.

Struggle to understand

Emphasizes effort involved, suggesting comprehension isn't easily achieved.

Cognitive deficit

A more clinical term, referring to a specific impairment in cognitive function.

Intellectual limitation

Indicates a boundary or restriction in intellectual capacity.

Conceptual blindness

Suggests a figurative inability to 'see' or understand a concept.

FAQs

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

You can use "inability to comprehend" to describe someone's lack of understanding, as in: "His "inability to comprehend" the instructions led to several errors."

What are some alternatives to "inability to comprehend"?

Alternatives include "lack of understanding", "difficulty in understanding", or "failure to grasp", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it better to say "inability to comprehend" or "inability to understand"?

"Inability to comprehend" and "inability to understand" are often interchangeable, but "inability to comprehend" suggests a deeper, more fundamental lack of understanding than "inability to understand".

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

Use "inability to comprehend" in formal or technical contexts where you want to emphasize a significant deficit in understanding or cognitive processing.