is beyond understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is beyond understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is too complex or difficult to comprehend. Example: "The intricacies of quantum physics are often so profound that they seem to be beyond understanding for many people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"This thing is beyond understanding.

The New York Times - Sports

It is rooted in everyday suburbia and the revelation that unfurls is beyond understanding.

The Guardian - Arts

Exactly how sophisticated financial-sector analysts can refuse to comprehend this notion is beyond understanding.

The New York Times

They can seem, at times, like the scientists in Stanislaw Lem's "Solaris," peering into the "plasmatic eddies" of a sentient ocean, whose behavior is beyond understanding.

The New Yorker

"We found out that there was no criminal background with this individual and to suddenly engage in this type of violent behavior is beyond understanding.

The New York Times

Just because a given activity or response is spread across the brain — involving many different regions rather than just a single section — does not mean it is beyond understanding.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Why the "two Gins" (Virginia Barnett and Virginia Kellogg) were sometimes put at the same table, although roommates, while I repeatedly drew one of my bêtes noires — a pale, spectacled, black-haired, sneering underclassman by the name of Catherine McPherson — was beyond understanding.

The New Yorker

The games these company play as far as picking and choosing who, how, and where they sue are beyond understanding by onlookers.

TechCrunch

Fulfill the commandments that are beyond understanding.

Huffington Post

There are artists who you respect and there are a few who are beyond understanding.

Vice

Fulfill the rational laws and guard the laws that are beyond understanding.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "is beyond understanding" to convey a strong sense of incomprehensibility or to emphasize the complexity of a situation or concept.

Common error

Avoid using "is beyond understanding" in contexts where simpler phrases like "is confusing" or "I don't understand" would suffice. Reserve it for situations genuinely complex or inexplicable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is beyond understanding" functions primarily as a subject complement, describing a state of being where something cannot be comprehended. Ludwig AI indicates this usage is grammatically correct, as shown in the numerous examples where it describes complex phenomena or inexplicable situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is beyond understanding" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something incomprehensible, as confirmed by Ludwig. It frequently appears in news and media, often conveying the complexity of a situation or the inability to grasp certain concepts. While phrases like "is incomprehensible" or "is unfathomable" can serve as alternatives, "is beyond understanding" specifically emphasizes the limit of comprehension. It’s important to reserve this phrase for genuinely complex situations, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is incomprehensible

Replaces "beyond understanding" with a single word conveying the same lack of comprehensibility.

is unfathomable

Substitutes "beyond understanding" with a term suggesting something is too deep or complex to grasp.

defies comprehension

Rephrases the idea to focus on the act of comprehension being resisted by something.

is baffling

Replaces the original phrase with a word that emphasizes the confusion caused by something.

eludes understanding

Replaces "is beyond understanding" with a more elegant and literary expression, suggesting that something escapes comprehension.

is inexplicable

Changes the phrase to highlight that something cannot be explained.

is mind-boggling

Substitutes the original phrase with an expression that conveys the overwhelming and confusing nature of something.

exceeds my grasp

Uses a more personal tone, indicating something is beyond one's individual ability to understand.

is above my head

Offers a more informal alternative, indicating something is too difficult for one to understand.

remains a mystery

Shifts the focus to the unknown nature of something, rather than the inability to understand it.

FAQs

How can I use "is beyond understanding" in a sentence?

You can use "is beyond understanding" to describe situations or concepts that are difficult or impossible to comprehend. For example: "The complexity of quantum physics "is beyond understanding" for many people."

What phrases are similar to "is beyond understanding"?

Similar phrases include "is incomprehensible", "is unfathomable", and "defies comprehension". These alternatives also convey a lack of comprehensibility.

Is it appropriate to use "is beyond understanding" in formal writing?

Yes, "is beyond understanding" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when describing complex or inexplicable phenomena. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the text.

What's the difference between "is beyond understanding" and "is confusing"?

"Is beyond understanding" suggests a higher degree of incomprehensibility than "is confusing". The former implies something may be fundamentally impossible to grasp, while the latter suggests temporary or partial difficulty in understanding.