it is beyond comprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is beyond comprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is so complex or difficult to understand that it exceeds one's ability to grasp it. Example: "The sheer scale of the universe is beyond comprehension for most people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Hurting a newborn – it is beyond comprehension.

The Guardian

"It is beyond comprehension that someone can be so ignorant about the emotional and physical trauma brought on by rape," the senator said in a statement.

The New York Times

"It is beyond comprehension that H.C.F.A., in an effort to fight Medicare fraud, would hire the fox to guard the henhouse," said Peter Sheffield, a spokesman for the House Commerce Committee, which oversees the agency.

The New York Times

"It is beyond comprehension," said Dr. Dan B. Jones, the chairman of ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, who detected a case of acanthamoeba keratitis, which is behind the current outbreak, on Friday.

The New York Times

"It is beyond comprehension for the Home Office to think that this gives them licence to carry on regardless with a much broader bill that has been demonstrated as unworkable and dangerous by experts, business groups and the wider public.

The Guardian

"Who will speak for you when your government turns enemy and neighbors turn away?" "Is it better to lie low or stand tall?" And another question: "To stay or to go?" When the scale of the Nazi ambition starts to become clear, it is beyond comprehension.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 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.

Independent

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

BBC

Agreed, our expenditure on these wars is beyond comprehension.

Huffington Post

It's beyond comprehension to close its doors.

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase. While generally acceptable, in highly formal or technical contexts, more precise language might be preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "it is beyond comprehension" as a mere emotional reaction. This phrase is most effective when describing something truly difficult to understand, not just something shocking or upsetting. Consider alternatives like "unimaginable" or "devastating" for emotional emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is beyond comprehension" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing that something cannot be understood or grasped. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is suitable for expressing a lack of understanding. It serves to highlight the complexity or inexplicable nature of a subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is beyond comprehension" serves to express that something is difficult or impossible to understand. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively common, its usage is spread across varied types of sources, with a leaning towards News & Media. When writing, it's important to ensure the context clarifies what exactly is difficult to grasp. Related phrases like "it is incomprehensible" or "it defies understanding" can offer alternative shades of meaning. This expression is best suited to emphasize true difficulty in understanding rather than mere emotional responses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is incomprehensible

Replaces 'beyond comprehension' with 'incomprehensible', a direct synonym, maintaining a formal tone but subtly shifting emphasis to the inherent unexplainability of the subject.

it defies understanding

Substitutes "is beyond comprehension" with "defies understanding", implying a challenge to one's ability to understand, thus adding a sense of resistance or impossibility.

it's unfathomable

Replaces the phrase with "it's unfathomable", which conveys a sense of depth and mystery, suggesting the subject is too profound or complex to fully grasp.

it beggars belief

Emphasizes incredulity, suggesting the subject is so astonishing it's hard to accept as true. Introduces a more emotional reaction than the original phrase.

it escapes me

Implies a personal failure to understand. It is less emphatic and more about individual understanding.

i can't wrap my head around it

An idiomatic alternative expressing difficulty in understanding or accepting something, but in a more informal and personal way.

it's a mystery to me

Conveys a sense of bewilderment and lack of understanding, emphasizing the enigmatic nature of the subject.

it's all Greek to me

An idiomatic expression indicating a complete lack of understanding, suggesting the subject is as foreign or unintelligible as the Greek language to the speaker.

it's baffling

Highlights the perplexing and confusing nature of the subject, emphasizing the difficulty in finding a rational explanation.

i'm at a loss to explain it

Focuses on the speaker's inability to provide an explanation, emphasizing their confusion and lack of insight.

FAQs

What does "it is beyond comprehension" mean?

The phrase "it is beyond comprehension" means that something is impossible or extremely difficult to understand. It suggests that the concept or situation is so complex or baffling that it exceeds one's ability to grasp or make sense of it.

How can I use "it is beyond comprehension" in a sentence?

You can use "it is beyond comprehension" to describe events, ideas, or situations that are difficult to understand. For example, you might say, "the scale of the universe is beyond comprehension" or "the complexity of the algorithm is beyond comprehension".

What are some alternatives to saying "it is beyond comprehension"?

Alternatives to "it is beyond comprehension" include phrases like "it is incomprehensible", "it defies understanding", or "it's unfathomable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is beyond comprehension" formal or informal?

"It is beyond comprehension" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly technical or academic settings, more precise or specialized language might be preferred.