it is incomprehensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is incomprehensible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that cannot be understood or is difficult to grasp. Example: "The instructions were so poorly written that it is incomprehensible to anyone without prior knowledge of the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is incomprehensible that she was found not guilty.

The Guardian

"It is incomprehensible to us," Ms. Greene said.

The New York Times

It is incomprehensible as to why this is [being delayed].

The Guardian

As industrial policy, this is suspect; measured against the government's environmental boasts, it is incomprehensible.

The Economist

It is incomprehensible to the British public that such an important report should be delayed.

Independent

"It is incomprehensible that terrorist attacks in villages and towns last for hours without security intervention.

The Guardian

To the outsider, it is incomprehensible that these arcane particulars could elicit such strong reactions.

The Guardian - Tech

It is incomprehensible that the project's planners do not rely on mass transit.

The New York Times

This is often the case, and it is... it is incomprehensible.

The Guardian

It is incomprehensible to imagine adapting to that level of drought".

The Guardian

It is incomprehensible to me that for some people he has become a folk hero".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is incomprehensible", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is difficult to understand. For example, "It is incomprehensible that the project was approved without proper environmental impact studies."

Common error

While "it is incomprehensible" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "I don't understand" or "It doesn't make sense" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is incomprehensible" functions as a declarative statement expressing a judgment about something being impossible to understand. Ludwig examples show it used to express disbelief or highlight the illogical nature of a situation, confirming its role as a judgmental expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is incomprehensible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a lack of understanding or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears most often in News & Media contexts, conveying strong opinions on various issues. While alternatives like "it is unfathomable" or "it is unintelligible" exist, "it is incomprehensible" effectively emphasizes a speaker's inability to grasp or accept something. While acceptable, avoid overuse in informal settings for stylistic reasons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is unintelligible

Directly states that something cannot be understood due to its lack of clarity.

it is unfathomable

Indicates that something is too deep or complex to be understood.

it becomes incomprehensible

Emphasizes the process of something becoming impossible to understand.

it is impenetrable

Highlights the difficulty in getting through or understanding something.

it is inexplicable

Highlights that something cannot be explained.

it is puzzling

Emphasizes the confusing or bewildering nature of something.

it makes no sense

Similar to "it does not make sense", but slightly more emphatic.

it does not make sense

A simpler way to express that something lacks logical coherence.

it is unacceptable

Shifts the focus to the idea that something should not be tolerated.

it is incredible

Focuses on the unbelievable or astonishing nature of something.

FAQs

How to use "it is incomprehensible" in a sentence?

Use "it is incomprehensible" to express that something is impossible or very difficult to understand. For example, "It is incomprehensible that the error wasn't caught earlier."

What can I say instead of "it is incomprehensible"?

You can use alternatives like "it is unintelligible", "it is unfathomable", or "it is puzzling" depending on the context.

Is "it is incomprehensible to me" redundant?

While "it is incomprehensible" already implies a lack of understanding, adding "to me" can emphasize a personal perspective. However, it is often unnecessary and can be omitted for conciseness.

What's the difference between "it is incomprehensible" and "it is unimaginable"?

"It is incomprehensible" means something is impossible to understand, while "it is unimaginable" means something is impossible to conceive or imagine. They describe different kinds of impossibilities.