it is impossible to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is impossible to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something cannot be comprehended or grasped, often due to complexity or lack of clarity. Example: "The instructions were so poorly written that it is impossible to understand what is required."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clearly too it is impossible to understand Jamestown without understanding the fate of Indian tribes.

The New York Times - Arts

The fundamental assumption of structuralism is that it is impossible to understand a macroeconomy without understanding its major institutions and distributive relationships across productive sectors and social groups.

Harvard University

It is impossible to understand modern Russia without understanding its natural gas monopoly, Gazprom.

Forbes

Without understanding science, it is impossible to understand scientific theories.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

It is impossible to understand jihadism — its objectives, its appeal for new recruits, and its durability — without examining its culture.

The New Yorker

In today's world, it is impossible to understand the modern and complex financial system without understanding basic economics and finance (Sukumaran 2015).

Financial Innovation

Without an understanding of math, it is impossible to understand science or be intelligent about the claims of advertisers, politicians or charlatans.

The New York Times

It is impossible to understand jihadism its objectives, its appeal for new recruits, and its durability without examining its culture.

The New Yorker

It is impossible to understand this region and its historical experiences without Khalidi's works.

Columbia University

It is impossible to understand the Sephardic heritage without its Arabic component.

Huffington Post

Grieve told the Guardian: "It is impossible to understand why this change has been carried out.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is impossible to understand", ensure the reason for the lack of understanding is clear to the reader, either implicitly or explicitly. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is impossible to understand" when you mean something is simply difficult or challenging to understand. Reserve it for situations where comprehension is truly unattainable without additional information or context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is impossible to understand" functions as an assertion of incomprehensibility. It indicates that a subject or concept is beyond one's capacity to grasp or comprehend, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is impossible to understand" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a lack of comprehension. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While versatile, it should be used judiciously, reserving it for situations where understanding is truly unattainable rather than merely difficult. Related phrases, such as "it is beyond comprehension" or "it defies understanding", can offer nuanced alternatives. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively employ this phrase to communicate the boundaries of understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is beyond comprehension

Focuses on the idea that something surpasses one's capacity to understand.

it is incomprehensible

Highlights the lack of understandability of something.

it defies understanding

Emphasizes that something actively resists being understood.

it is not possible to grasp

Focuses on the inability to seize or comprehend something fully.

it is beyond my understanding

Indicates a personal limitation in comprehending something.

understanding it is not an option

Emphasizes the absolute impossibility of achieving comprehension.

it is futile to try and understand

Highlights the uselessness of attempting to understand something.

comprehension is unachievable

Stresses the unattainability of understanding in a given situation.

it is not within the realm of understanding

Positions something as existing outside the scope of what can be understood.

it is impenetrable to understanding

Emphasizes the resistance of something to attempts at understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "it is impossible to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "it is impossible to understand" to express that something cannot be comprehended. For example, "It is impossible to understand the plot without watching the first season".

What are some alternatives to "it is impossible to understand"?

Alternatives include "it is beyond comprehension", "it is incomprehensible", or "it defies understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it is hard to understand" or "it is impossible to understand"?

The choice depends on the degree of difficulty. "It is hard to understand" suggests something is challenging but possible to comprehend. "It is impossible to understand" indicates comprehension is unattainable without more information or context.

What makes something "impossible to understand"?

Something might be "impossible to understand" due to its complexity, lack of clarity, contradictory information, or reliance on specialized knowledge the audience doesn't possess.