just understandable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just understandable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is only clear or comprehensible to a minimal degree, often implying that it lacks depth or clarity. Example: "The explanation was just understandable, leaving many questions unanswered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

And the anger and frustration isn't just understandable.

The New York Times

Whereas in Magnolia, one feels that Linda's sinking to some fatal resolution with herself would be not just understandable, but lucid and merciful.

The Guardian - Film

Merkel gave a strong endorsement of Cameron's reform strategy, saying that Britain's demands were "not just understandable, but worthy of support".

The Guardian

This book is an attempt to make the prototyping process not just understandable and manageable but also doable by anyone with the desire to improve a product's design and learn more about user needs.

Effective Prototyping for Software Makers

The beauty of The Big Short is that it takes the same subject and makes it not just understandable, but entertaining.

Huffington Post

I believe that art can change the world by making an issue as urgent as energy access not just understandable for the mind but also physically tangible.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Shameful, but understandable.

TechCrunch

But understandable.

Huffington Post

The plan adopted after tea was almost surreal yet it was just about understandable.

The Guardian - Sport

When Brett King presented his arguments, he did so not just with understandable emotion, but with enviable lucidity.

Independent

Your anger at your former employer is not a matter of high principle, just the understandable bitterness of the downsized.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just understandable", consider whether a more precise term might better convey the degree of clarity or comprehension you intend to express. A more specific word can provide additional nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "just understandable" when something is genuinely clear or easy to understand. Using it in such contexts diminishes the impact of your writing and suggests a lack of confidence in the clarity of the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just understandable" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It typically describes the degree to which something can be understood, suggesting minimal clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, and examples showcase its role in qualifying comprehensibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just understandable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates a minimal degree of clarity or comprehension. As Ludwig AI explains, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and scientific discussions. While it's not a frequently used phrase, it serves the purpose of tempering expectations about clarity. When using this phrase, consider whether more precise language may be better to express the intended nuance and avoid overstating the clarity of a subject. Alternatives such as "barely understandable" or "slightly comprehensible" can offer more specific shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely understandable

Indicates a minimal level of comprehensibility, emphasizing the difficulty in understanding.

slightly comprehensible

Implies a small degree of understanding, suggesting it's not fully clear.

hardly intelligible

Stresses the lack of clarity and difficulty in making sense of something.

marginally clear

Highlights the slight level of clarity, indicating it's only just understandable.

vaguely comprehensible

Suggests understanding is present, but only in an indefinite or imprecise way.

somewhat intelligible

Indicates a moderate level of understandability, implying partial clarity.

scarcely understandable

Emphasizes the limited extent to which something can be understood.

only partially clear

Focuses on the incomplete nature of understanding, indicating some aspects remain unclear.

simply comprehensible

Highlights the simplicity of understandability, but also potentially its lack of depth.

not entirely incomprehensible

A double negative emphasizing the lack of total incomprehensibility, implying some understanding is possible.

FAQs

What does "just understandable" mean?

The phrase "just understandable" means something is comprehensible to a minimal degree. It suggests a lack of depth or clarity, indicating it's barely clear.

How can I use "just understandable" in a sentence?

You can use "just understandable" to describe explanations or situations that are not entirely clear. For example, "The explanation was "barely understandable", leaving many questions unanswered."

What are some alternatives to "just understandable"?

Some alternatives include "barely understandable", "slightly comprehensible", or "hardly intelligible" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "just understandable" or "easily understandable"?

"Easily understandable" implies something is clear and simple, whereas "just understandable" suggests a minimal level of comprehension. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of clarity you want to convey.