incomprehensible speech

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incomprehensible speech" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe speech that is difficult or impossible to understand, often due to unclear articulation or complex language. Example: "The lecturer's use of jargon resulted in incomprehensible speech that left many students confused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

That naturally involved a great many delays, postponements, overrides and a passionate if incomprehensible speech by Bond, the highlight of which was: "Please bear with me.

The New York Times

Most users will tell you they have experienced dropped calls, incomprehensible speech and voice quality that mimics speaking from the bottom of a fish tank.

The New York Times

Rowley Leigh voted for Tristram Hunt's incomprehensible speech, but Jeremy Paxman and I both voted for Tesco, so it took the prize.

The Guardian - Books

Kanye West, who – during his annual incomprehensible speech – spotted ex Amber Rose in the audience and said: "I see you, Amber.

The Guardian

One symptom common to most schizophrenics is a loosening in their thought processes; this syndrome manifests itself as disorganized or incoherent thinking, illogical trains of mental association, and unclear or incomprehensible speech.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A Sanskrit term, mlechchha was used by the Vedic peoples much as the ancient Greeks used barbaros, originally to indicate the uncouth and incomprehensible speech of foreigners and then extended to their unfamiliar behaviour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Its desperate use of sportscasters' voiceovers to explain what's happening on the screen is grating, but at least it provides some relief from the grandiose, incomprehensible speeches that make up most of Mr. Stallone's script (Scott).

The New York Times

Its desperate use of sportscasters' voice-overs to explain what's happening on the screen is grating, but at least it provides some relief from the grandiose, incomprehensible speeches that make up most of Mr. Stallone's script (Scott).

The New York Times

So I spent hours running after them, fixing dates with their secretaries (whose number seemed to grow without limit) and hearing incomprehensible speeches, in order, finally, to get their signatures.

Science Magazine

Mi abuelita was in home hospice and her speech incomprehensible.

Los Angeles Times

There seemed to be a constant commotion at the bar in the back of the hall, while those onstage dropped an unusually high rate of expletives, all muted by NBC, leaving chunks of the speeches incomprehensible.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific instance of someone's speech being difficult to understand, use "incomprehensible speech" to maintain a formal and objective tone.

Common error

In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "unclear speech" or even a direct explanation of the problem (e.g., "I couldn't understand what they were saying") might be more appropriate than the somewhat formal "incomprehensible speech".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incomprehensible speech" functions as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "speech" with the adjective "incomprehensible". According to Ludwig AI, it describes speech that is difficult or impossible to understand. Examples show its usage in contexts ranging from medical conditions to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3.33%

Formal & Business

3.33%

Academia

3.33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incomprehensible speech" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe speech that is difficult or impossible to understand. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While not exceedingly frequent, it appears in a variety of contexts, especially News & Media and scientific sources. Related phrases include "unintelligible speech" and "unfathomable speech". When writing, it is best to use "incomprehensible speech" in formal contexts and consider simpler alternatives for casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintelligible speech

Focuses on the inability to understand the speech due to its unclear nature.

unfathomable speech

Highlights the difficulty in grasping the meaning or reasoning behind the speech.

impenetrable speech

Emphasizes the barrier to understanding, suggesting the speech is difficult to get through.

garbled speech

Suggests the speech is distorted or mixed up, making it hard to follow.

incoherent speech

Indicates a lack of logical connection or clarity in the speech.

muddled speech

Implies the speech is confused or disorganized.

jumbled speech

Suggests the speech is mixed up and disorderly.

confused speech

Highlights the lack of clear understanding reflected in the speech.

babbling

Refers to nonsensical or meaningless speech.

gibberish

Describes speech that is nonsensical and impossible to understand.

FAQs

What does "incomprehensible speech" mean?

"Incomprehensible speech" refers to speech that is impossible or very difficult to understand, often due to unclear articulation, complex language, or a lack of coherence.

How can I use "incomprehensible speech" in a sentence?

You might say, "The patient's stroke left him with /s/incomprehensible+speech" or "The technical jargon in the presentation resulted in /s/incomprehensible+speech for many attendees".

What are some alternatives to "incomprehensible speech"?

Alternatives include "unintelligible speech", "unfathomable speech", or simply saying the speech was "difficult to understand".

Is "incomprehensible speech" a formal or informal term?

"Incomprehensible speech" leans towards the formal side. In informal contexts, phrases like "couldn't understand", "didn't make sense", or "mumbling" might be more suitable.