is unintelligible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is unintelligible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be understood or is unclear, often in reference to speech, writing, or signals. Example: "The message he sent was so poorly written that it is unintelligible to anyone who reads it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The bill is unintelligible.

The Guardian

Five others say it is unintelligible.

The New York Times

Their mother tongue, Mongolian, is unintelligible to most Hans.

The Economist

The officer says a word which is unintelligible to them but plain in meaning.

The New Yorker

Their origins are uncertain, and their language is unintelligible to outsiders.

The New York Times

The history of philosophy, theology, and psychology since the early 20th century is unintelligible without him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The EU's decision-making is unintelligible to most people.Consider the unelected European Commission.

The Economist

Sardinian is unintelligible to most Italians and gives an acoustic impression more similar to Spanish than Italian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is unintelligible, which is why 90% of taxpayers use an accountant or commercial software to file their returns.

The Economist

Much of the acting is amateurish, and the sound is so poor that some of the dialogue is unintelligible.

The New York Times

About two minutes later, an unidentified voice is heard saying someone "will be annoyed," but most of the fragment is unintelligible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is unintelligible", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically is difficult to understand. For example, "The technical jargon in the report is unintelligible to most readers."

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "is unintelligible" in casual conversations might sound overly formal or pretentious. Consider using simpler alternatives like "doesn't make sense" or "is hard to follow" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is unintelligible" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or pronoun as lacking the quality of being understood. Ludwig examples show it used to describe language, speech, writing, and concepts that are difficult or impossible to comprehend.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is unintelligible" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe something that cannot be understood. According to Ludwig, it functions as a predicate adjective and commonly appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "is incomprehensible" or "is unclear" exist, it's crucial to consider the specific context to ensure appropriate and effective communication. While Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, avoiding overuse in casual conversation can prevent sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is incomprehensible

Replaces "unintelligible" with a synonym emphasizing a complete lack of understanding.

is indecipherable

Suggests something cannot be decoded or understood, like a code or complex text.

is beyond understanding

Indicates the subject is too complex or abstract to be grasped.

cannot be understood

A more direct and literal way of expressing the same meaning.

is not understandable

Similar to "cannot be understood" but perhaps implying a potential for understanding under different circumstances.

is unclear

A less forceful way of saying something lacks clarity.

is obscure

Implies the subject is hidden or not easily discovered, making it difficult to understand.

is ambiguous

Suggests the subject has multiple possible interpretations, leading to confusion.

is meaningless

Indicates the subject lacks significance or a clear purpose.

is mumbo jumbo

An informal way to describe something nonsensical or difficult to understand.

FAQs

What does "is unintelligible" mean?

The phrase "is unintelligible" means something is not capable of being understood. It implies a lack of clarity or comprehensibility.

What can I say instead of "is unintelligible"?

You can use alternatives like "is incomprehensible", "is unclear", or "cannot be understood" depending on the context.

How to use "is unintelligible" in a sentence?

You can use "is unintelligible" to describe speech, writing, or any form of communication that is difficult or impossible to understand. For example, "The old manuscript was damaged, and much of the text is unintelligible."

Is "is unintelligible" formal or informal?

The phrase "is unintelligible" leans towards the formal side. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "doesn't make sense" might be more appropriate.