is unreadable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is unreadable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe text or content that cannot be read or understood due to various reasons, such as poor handwriting or unclear formatting. Example: "The note he left was so messy that it is unreadable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

He is unreadable.

The New Yorker

The rest is unreadable.

The New Yorker

His expression is unreadable.

The Guardian - Books

But his appeal is precisely that he is unreadable.

The New York Times - Magazine

I mean, most analytical writing about baseball is unreadable.

The New Yorker

Some is unreadable, comically bad (surely intended), some rather beautiful.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

She was unreadable, said Adler; and indeed, Kael is unread now.

The Guardian - Opinion

The rest was unreadable.

The New Yorker

Actually, they were unreadable.

The Guardian - Books

It's unreadable.

The New Yorker

His blue eyes were unreadable.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a document or piece of writing, ensure you clarify why "is unreadable". Is it due to poor handwriting, complex jargon, damage, or encryption? Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

While "is unreadable" is acceptable, it can sound informal. In academic or professional writing, consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "illegible", "incomprehensible", or "indecipherable" to convey the specific reason for the lack of readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is unreadable" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or quality of a noun (e.g., handwriting, document, code). It indicates that something lacks the quality of being readable or understandable. Ludwig shows examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is unreadable" functions as a predicate adjective indicating that something cannot be read or understood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "is illegible" or "is indecipherable" may be preferable in academic or professional writing. Common errors include overuse in formal settings, where more precise terms would be appropriate. The phrase's primary communicative purpose is to inform the audience that a given text or piece of data is inaccessible, which explains the prevalence in News & Media, Academic and Scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is illegible

Focuses specifically on the physical impossibility of reading something, usually due to poor handwriting or damage.

is indecipherable

Implies that something cannot be understood even with effort, often due to complexity or encryption.

is incomprehensible

Indicates that something is impossible to understand, often due to its complexity or lack of coherence.

is unintelligible

Suggests that something lacks clarity and cannot be understood.

cannot be deciphered

Emphasizes the active process of trying to decode or understand something that is ultimately unsuccessful.

is too difficult to read

Highlights the level of effort required to read something, suggesting it is excessively challenging.

is not readable

A simpler and more direct way of saying that something cannot be easily read.

is obscure

Implies that something is hidden or not easily apparent, making it difficult to understand.

is impenetrable

Suggests that something is impossible to understand or access, like a barrier.

is beyond comprehension

Emphasizes the extreme difficulty in understanding, implying it exceeds one's capacity.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "is unreadable"?

When something "is unreadable", it means it cannot be easily read or understood, either because the writing is unclear, the content is too complex, or it's been encrypted. The reasons can vary, but the result is the same: the text cannot be readily processed by a reader.

Which is correct, "is unreadable" or "is not readable"?

Both "is unreadable" and "is not readable" are grammatically correct. However, "is unreadable" is generally more concise and commonly used. The choice depends on the desired emphasis; "is not readable" can sometimes be used to emphasize the lack of readability.

What can I say instead of "is unreadable" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives like "is illegible" (if the writing is physically unclear), "is incomprehensible" (if the content is difficult to understand), or "is indecipherable" (if it cannot be understood even with effort).

How do you use "is unreadable" in a sentence?

You can use "is unreadable" to describe various types of text or content. For example, "The handwriting on the old letter is unreadable." or "Due to the encryption, the file is unreadable without the key."