Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
is not readable
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"is not readable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that cannot be read. For example, "The text on this page is not readable."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Alternative expressions(19)
is illegible
is unreadable
is incomprehensible
is not legible
is inaccessible
is not accessible
is not understandable
is not intelligible
is not empty
is not easy to understand
is not histrionic
is not available
is not popular
is not judgemental
is not shy
is not uncommon
is not political
is not new
is not independent
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
9 human-written examples
If the recovered QR code is not readable, the image may have been modified maliciously.
Because the folders are end-to-end encrypted, their contents is not readable via Keybase's server.
News & Media
A common assumption in HCI design is that text is not readable at a glance (Lindgaard et al., 2006).
To implement a security architecture, encryption is used to convert messages from plaintext into ciphertext, which is not readable by potential attackers.
With the term fragile a watermarking technique which embeds a code in an image that is not readable anymore if the content is altered.
Although the spectra itself is not readable, it is clear that the peptide was obtained by trypsin digestion (as stated in the experimental section), which cleaves after lysine and arginine, but not after acetyl lysine.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
51 human-written examples
Even its tables are not readable.
News & Media
"They're not readable," he said.
News & Media
"We hear that all the time: 'Your opinions are oatmeal, they're not readable,' " said a Michigan Court of Appeals judge, William C. Whitbeck.
News & Media
A number of ads created for products or services often aimed at older consumers fall into the category of ads that are not readable.
News & Media
Videos from bystanders have been particularly useful in investigating the Sept. 16 crash that killed 11 people, including the pilot, at an air show in Reno, Nev., especially since video from plane's onboard camera was not readable.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing technical issues, specify why something "is not readable". For instance, "the file format is corrupted and is not readable" gives more context than simply saying "the file is not readable".
Common error
Avoid phrasing that obscures who or what is unable to read. Instead of saying "the document is not readable", consider specifying who finds it unreadable: "users find the document is not readable due to small font size".
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "is not readable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that it cannot be understood or accessed in a written or visual form. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.
Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
30%
Wiki
30%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "is not readable" effectively conveys that something is incomprehensible or inaccessible. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse fields like science, news, and general knowledge. While versatile, consider specifying why something "is not readable" for enhanced clarity. Related terms include "is illegible" and "is unreadable", offering nuanced ways to express the same core idea. Pay attention to passive voice to ensure your writing is direct and informative.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
is unreadable
A direct synonym, indicating something is impossible to read.
cannot be read
Emphasizes the inability to decipher the content.
is illegible
Focuses on the poor quality of the writing or printing making it unreadable.
is not legible
Indicates that the text is not clear enough to be read easily.
is indecipherable
Highlights the difficulty in understanding or making sense of something written.
is difficult to read
Indicates a challenge in reading due to various factors like font or writing style.
cannot be deciphered
Emphasizes the challenge in understanding the hidden meaning or code.
is incomprehensible
Focuses on the lack of understanding one gains from reading something.
is obscure
Highlights the ambiguous or vague nature of the text.
is inaccessible
Focuses on the inability to access the information, whether physically or digitally.
FAQs
What does it mean when something "is not readable"?
It means that the content, whether text, image, or data, cannot be understood or accessed. This could be due to illegibility, corruption, encryption, or other factors.
What can I say instead of "is not readable"?
You can use alternatives like "is illegible", "is unreadable", or "is incomprehensible" depending on the context.
How can I make sure my content is readable?
Use clear fonts, provide sufficient contrast, avoid jargon, and structure your content logically. Also, ensure that digital files are not corrupted and are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.
Which is correct, "is not readable" or "isn't readable"?
Both are grammatically correct, but "is not readable" is more formal, while "isn't readable" is a contraction suitable for informal contexts.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested