inability to fathom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inability to fathom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a lack of understanding or comprehension of something complex or difficult to grasp. Example: "Her inability to fathom the intricacies of the theory left her feeling frustrated and confused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Katz argued that Stein's desperate attempts to understand everyone around her derived from her inability to fathom her lover, May Bookstaver.

The New Yorker

Most telling is their total inability to fathom the motivations of the others, whom they assume must be as self-interested as they are.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, despite my complete inability to fathom anything, I must admit I actually really enjoyed this episode and the lion's share of the credit for this should go to the crowd.

Independent

As a child of London and the south-east, I may as well have come from Mars, such was my total inability to fathom the choice of 52% of the population in the EU referendum.

The Guardian - Opinion

Your inability to fathom that doesn't make it any less true.

Huffington Post

This inability to fathom Barack Obama doesn't come as a surprise.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He is driven to the page not by the thrill of love but by his inability to trust and fathom it, in others or in himself.

The New York Times - Books

Yet its inability to grasp and fathom its true subject means that when the cataclysm arrives on 9/11, its dramatic effect is both unearned and long overdue.

The New York Times - Books

Both of those men will try to defend their titles in May, but an announcement this week confirmed that neither man's opponent will be Mr Ward.The inability of professional boxing to organise an undisputed world championship may seem hard to fathom.

The Economist

This, Holder seems to hope, will counter the standard argument that his inability to bring a single criminal case against an executive in connection to the financial crisis is, most charitably, hard to fathom.

Huffington Post

Hard to fathom.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inability to fathom", ensure that the context clearly identifies what is difficult to understand. For instance, "Her inability to fathom the complex equation was evident" provides clear context.

Common error

Avoid using "inability to fathom" when a simpler word like "understand" would suffice. Overusing the phrase in simple contexts can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inability to fathom" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It expresses a lack of understanding or comprehension, as demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inability to fathom" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a lack of comprehension or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples primarily from News & Media sources. While considered uncommon in frequency, the phrase serves to highlight complexity or bafflement when simpler terms may not suffice. Related phrases such as "failure to comprehend" or "inability to grasp" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and nuance. Understanding when and how to use "inability to fathom" effectively can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failure to comprehend

Focuses on a complete lack of understanding, emphasizing the failure aspect.

inability to grasp

Highlights the difficulty in seizing or understanding something quickly.

lack of comprehension

Emphasizes the absence of understanding, often implying a deficit.

failure to understand

A more direct and straightforward way of expressing a lack of understanding.

incapacity to perceive

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

difficulty in understanding

Highlights the struggle or effort required to achieve understanding.

struggle to comprehend

Emphasizes the effort involved in trying to understand something complex.

failure to appreciate

Highlights the failure to value or understand something's worth.

blindness to

Implies a complete lack of awareness or understanding, often in a figurative sense.

imperviousness to

Suggests an inability to be affected by or understand something.

FAQs

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

You can use "inability to fathom" to describe a situation where someone is unable to understand something, for example, "His inability to fathom the economic crisis frustrated him."

What are some alternatives to "inability to fathom"?

Alternatives include "failure to comprehend", "inability to grasp", or "lack of comprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "inability to fathom" or "can't understand"?

"Inability to fathom" is generally more formal than "can't understand". Use "inability to fathom" in professional or academic writing and "can't understand" in informal settings.

What's the difference between "inability to understand" and "inability to fathom"?

"Inability to understand" is a general term for not being able to grasp something. "Inability to fathom" suggests a deeper, more complex lack of understanding, implying the subject is difficult or mysterious.