is illegible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is illegible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe text that cannot be read due to poor handwriting, damage, or other factors affecting visibility. Example: "The note left on the table is illegible, and I can't make out what it says."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

(The Aja sign is illegible at highway speed).

The New York Times

Unfortunately, it is illegible to everyone, including Queequeg himself.

The Guardian - Books

The detail of his alleged crime is illegible to all but the cognoscenti.

The Guardian - Tech

The new signature is illegible, but it looks like a traditional signature.

The New York Times

Some of my friends say that my handwriting is illegible, but they are wrong.

The New York Times - Books

Statement of responsibility in bottom left corner of chart #1 is illegible.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The words were illegible.

The New York Times

Some entries are illegible.

Cornell University

But the license plate was illegible.

The New York Times

To say it was illegible would be a compliment.

The New York Times - Sports

The volumes are illegible in places.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing handwriting, specify the cause of illegibility, such as "due to poor penmanship" or "because of smudging".

Common error

Don't simply state that something "is illegible"; explain why. For example, instead of saying "the writing is illegible", say "the writing is illegible due to water damage".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is illegible" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its state of being unreadable. Ludwig indicates its common use in describing text that cannot be easily deciphered due to various reasons.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is illegible" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that cannot be read, often due to poor handwriting, damage, or other factors affecting its visibility. Ludwig confirms its acceptability and common use across diverse contexts, including news media, academic writing, and general communication. While alternatives like "is unreadable" or "cannot be read" exist, "is illegible" remains a clear and effective choice. Remember to provide context explaining why something is illegible for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be read

Focuses on the inability to decipher the text.

is unreadable

Direct synonym emphasizing the inability to read the text.

is indecipherable

Highlights the difficulty in decoding the message.

is unclear

A broader term suggesting a lack of clarity, not specifically about readability.

is obscure

Suggests the text is hidden or not easily accessible to understanding.

is unintelligible

Indicates the text lacks coherent meaning.

is indiscernible

Emphasizes the inability to distinguish or make out the letters or words.

is beyond comprehension

Suggests the text is not only unreadable but also impossible to understand.

is virtually impossible to read

Emphasizes the extreme difficulty in reading the text.

defies interpretation

Highlights the challenge in finding any meaning or interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "is illegible" in a sentence?

You can use "is illegible" to describe text that cannot be read. For example, "The signature on the document "is illegible"".

What are some alternatives to "is illegible"?

Alternatives include "is unreadable", "cannot be read", or "is indecipherable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is illegible" or "is unreadable"?

"Is illegible" and "is unreadable" are largely interchangeable. "Is illegible" often implies a difficulty in deciphering due to handwriting or damage, while "is unreadable" is a more general term.

What does it mean when a document is described as "is illegible"?

When a document "is illegible", it means the text on the document cannot be read or deciphered, often due to poor handwriting, damage, or fading ink.