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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it's beyond comprehension

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's beyond comprehension to close its doors.

News & Media

The Guardian

"If this is the British legal system, it is appalling, it's beyond comprehension".

News & Media

The Guardian

It's beyond comprehension to me that we would for any moment at any time be anti-immigration.

Seriously, it's beyond comprehension.

News & Media

TechCrunch

It's beyond comprehension that such violent tactics would be used to enforce regulatory law.

News & Media

Huffington Post

You want to dismiss what you've found as something for the body mod and gasmask set, but the cilia in your belly are a-quiver because this is so weird and amazing and so disturbing it's beyond comprehension.

News & Media

Vice
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

She said it was an "outrage" that nation states were not doing more to help the refugees, saying it was "beyond comprehension" that governments would allow such suffering.

News & Media

Independent

Jake Molloy, from the RMT union, said it was "beyond comprehension" that the flare was still burning.

News & Media

BBC

Agreed, our expenditure on these wars is beyond comprehension.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Hurting a newborn – it is beyond comprehension.

News & Media

The Guardian

"People there said it was beyond comprehension that he showed up," the uncle said later.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve this phrase for truly extreme circumstances. Overusing it for minor inconveniences can diminish its rhetorical power and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Common error

Avoid adding modifiers like "completely" or "totally" before "it's beyond comprehension". Since the phrase already denotes a state that exceeds the limits of understanding, these additions are redundant and can weaken the professional tone of your writing.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

In Ludwig examples, "it's beyond comprehension" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It typically follows a linking verb to assign a quality of utter inexplicability to the subject of the sentence, often used to introduce a clause.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

0.4%

Academia

0.3%

Social Media

0.3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it's beyond comprehension" is a powerful idiomatic expression used to convey an absolute lack of understanding, often triggered by extreme, tragic or irrational events. Analysis of Ludwig data shows a heavy concentration in high-tier news publications where it serves to underscore the gravity of a situation. It is grammatically correct and functions as a strong emotive tool in neutral to formal writing, effectively bridging the gap between factual reporting and moral commentary. Writers should avoid redundant intensifiers to maintain the phrase's inherent strength.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "it's beyond comprehension"?

The phrase means that something is impossible to understand, process or accept because it is so extreme, irrational or shocking.

How do I use "it's beyond comprehension" in a sentence?

It is often used as a standalone comment or followed by a "that" clause, for example: "It's beyond comprehension that such a tragedy could occur in this day and age".

Is "it's beyond comprehension" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to formal. While it appears frequently in news media, it is also suitable for professional essays and formal correspondence.

What can I say instead of "it's beyond comprehension"?

You can use alternatives like "it defies belief", "unfathomable" or "inconceivable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: