intelligible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intelligible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is clear and understandable, often in reference to speech or writing. Example: "The lecturer's explanation was so clear that it made complex concepts intelligible to all the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No, the only intelligible explanation is that a Conservative administration now wishes to get on with things that the Lib Dems would have blocked, above all setting in train all those benefit cuts which Mr Cameron declined to spell out for the voters.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The reality is on all sides of the house that we have frankly far too many people who haven't had that broader life experience and who speak in a language that is only intelligible to people who reside in the Westminster village.

The Guardian

Still, at least the kickback system is intelligible.

The Economist

This sort of nastiness is more easily intelligible than the aggregate kind and is at least as important because many voters form their judgments on character first and policy only secondarily.

The Economist

Some 55% of a high turnout of voters said "yes" to a referendum question so convoluted as to be barely intelligible.

The Economist

It means that Indian Railways should start divesting itself of "non-core" activities, such as catering and manufacturing; that it should cut staff numbers drastically; that its top management, a seven-member Railway Board, should shed its conflicting responsibilities as regulator, policymaker and boss; and that it should start producing intelligible accounts.

The Economist

Geoencryption encodes a stream of data in such a way that it is only intelligible to somebody in a specific location; the output from a GPS device is used to unscramble the data.

The Economist

Then in what, for a comparatively godless country, was an unusually American interlude they turned to abortion.This was a different kind of debate, not only because it is intelligible and painfully familiar to large numbers of people.

The Economist

This is usually a vehicle for national identity, even if it has mutually intelligible neighbours.

The Economist

This is a plausible and appealing view, which makes current threats intelligible to us in light of our own melancholy history.

The Economist

But the diplomatic fall-out could hardly have been bigger.Conspiracy theories in Moscow about who killed Mr Litvinenko have reached a pitch of dialecticism that is scarcely intelligible to outsiders.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intelligible" to describe complex concepts or information that has been simplified or clarified for easier understanding. For example, "The manual provided an intelligible explanation of the software's features."

Common error

Avoid using "intelligible" in contexts where simpler words like "clear" or "understandable" would suffice. Overusing "intelligible" can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious when describing straightforward concepts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intelligible" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that is capable of being understood or is clear to the mind. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to indicate clarity or comprehensibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "intelligible" functions as an adjective denoting the quality of being understandable or clear. It appears frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that "intelligible" is correct and usable in written English, describing something clear and understandable. While versatile, it is best used when precision and clarity are paramount, and simpler alternatives may suffice in less formal settings. Related terms include "understandable" and "comprehensible". Using "intelligible" effectively involves understanding its formality and choosing the most appropriate synonym based on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understandable

Emphasizes the ability to be grasped or comprehended.

comprehensible

Highlights the capacity to be fully understood.

clear

Focuses on the absence of ambiguity or obscurity.

lucid

Stresses the ease of understanding due to clarity and simplicity.

graspable

Implies that something can be easily seized or understood.

accessible

Highlights the ease with which something can be approached or understood.

coherent

Focuses on the logical and consistent arrangement of ideas, making them understandable.

plain

Emphasizes simplicity and directness in making something understandable.

transparent

Highlights the quality of being easily seen through or understood.

readable

Focuses on the ease with which written material can be understood.

FAQs

How can I use "intelligible" in a sentence?

You can use "intelligible" to describe something that is capable of being understood. For example, "The professor made the complex theory intelligible to the students."

What is a synonym for "intelligible"?

Synonyms for "intelligible" include "understandable", "comprehensible", and "clear". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "intelligible" formal or informal?

"Intelligible" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal term. It is appropriate for use in academic, professional, and news contexts.

What is the difference between "intelligible" and "comprehensible"?

While both words mean "capable of being understood", "intelligible" often refers to something that has the potential to be understood, while "comprehensible" implies that understanding has been achieved or is readily achievable. For example, "The speaker's accent was barely intelligible" versus "The instructions were easily comprehensible".