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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 is not to understand why

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not to understand why" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and lacks clarity in its intended meaning. Example: "In this situation, it is not to understand why things happened, but to focus on how to move forward."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is not to understand why TCM hospitals do not prioritize traditional medications over Western medications.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is not hard to understand why.

News & Media

The New York Times

It is not difficult to understand why.

News & Media

BBC

It's not hard to understand why this is happening.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's not hard to understand why lenders are skittish.

News & Media

Forbes

It was not hard to understand why.

News & Media

The Guardian

And it's not difficult to understand why.

News & Media

Independent

It's not difficult to understand why.

News & Media

HuffPost

It's not hard to understand why.

News & Media

The New York Times

It wasn't hard to understand why.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

If you aren't, it's important to understand why.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it is not to understand why" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives like "it is difficult to understand why" or "the reason is unclear".

Common error

Ensure that your sentences are grammatically complete. The phrase "it is not to understand why" often leads to unfinished or unclear statements. Always double-check that your sentences express a complete thought with a clear subject, verb, and object.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not to understand why" functions as an incomplete introductory clause. It attempts to set the stage for an explanation but falls short due to its non-standard grammatical structure. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is not to understand why" is grammatically incorrect and rarely used in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase often represents an incomplete thought. It's best to replace it with clearer, more grammatically sound alternatives such as "it is difficult to understand why" or "the reason is unclear", depending on the intended meaning. While some examples can be found in sources like BMC Health Services Research and The New York Times, this doesn't validate its correctness. High-quality writing prioritizes clarity and grammatical accuracy, making the alternatives superior choices.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "it is not to understand why"?

More appropriate alternatives include "it is difficult to understand why", "it is hard to understand why", or "it is unclear why".

Is "it is not to understand why" ever correct?

While rarely used correctly, it might fit in very specific contexts aiming to suggest that understanding the 'why' is secondary to something else. However, clearer phrasing is almost always preferable.

How can I rephrase a sentence that starts with "it is not to understand why"?

Consider what you're trying to emphasize. If it's difficulty in comprehension, use "it is difficult to understand". If the reason is simply unknown, say "the reason is unknown".

What's the difference between "it is not to understand why" and "it is hard to understand why"?

"It is hard to understand why" is a grammatically correct and common expression that indicates difficulty in comprehending something. "It is not to understand why" is grammatically awkward and should generally be avoided in favor of clearer alternatives like "it is difficult to understand why".

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Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: