lack of comprehension

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of comprehension" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone does not understand something or has difficulty grasping a concept. Example: "The student's lack of comprehension of the material was evident during the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Marr's lack of comprehension was tangible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dad beams at the wondrous gizmos but his eyes betray a total lack of comprehension.

The Guardian

Their lack of comprehension pushes Carlos off-centre, and before long he drops out.

The Guardian

According to Wainaina, African writers face a similar lack of comprehension when their books are published in the UK.

The Guardian - Books

It shows a stunning lack of comprehension of Luis Barragán and encapsulates everything that he was not.

The New Yorker

The utter lack of comprehension about why people vote Tory, or indeed don't vote at all, has been galling.

The Guardian - Opinion

This kind of manipulative bid for tension is a trick that reveals not Williams's understanding of illusions but Gold's lack of comprehension.

The New Yorker

On the topic of video games, Greenfield's lack of comprehension and inability to distinguish between different genres of game causes her thesis to fall apart at the seams.

The Guardian

Their book's merit is to throw into relief the total lack of comprehension that existed between New Zealand and France over the significance of the affair.

The New York Times - Books

I found that the problem was not rooted in lack of comprehension but an imprecision in their scientific language, owing to their lack of experience in the field.

University of California, Berkeley

"If the markets respond to this on Friday, it will reflect a total lack of comprehension of what the chairman said," Mr. Meyer said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of comprehension", clarify the subject or concept that is not being understood to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of comprehension" as a blanket statement without specifying what isn't being understood. This can lead to confusion and weaken your argument. Be specific about the subject matter or concepts involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of comprehension" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the absence of understanding of a specific topic or concept. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which validates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lack of comprehension" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes an absence of understanding. Ludwig confirms its validity and common usage across diverse contexts. It's most commonly found in news, media, and scientific sources. While it can be used in various registers, it tends toward formal. When employing the phrase, it's best practice to specify the subject matter or concept to which the lack of understanding pertains, enhancing clarity and avoiding ambiguity. Ludwig provides several examples showing proper usage and highlighting potential alternatives like "failure to understand" or "inability to comprehend".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failure to understand

Focuses on the act of failing to grasp something.

absence of understanding

Directly states that understanding is missing.

inability to comprehend

Highlights the inherent capacity to understand.

failure to grasp

Emphasizes the difficulty in seizing or understanding an idea.

limited understanding

Suggests a partial or incomplete grasp of the subject.

cognitive deficit

Highlights the cognitive impairment.

intellectual deficiency

Focuses on the limited intellectual capabilities.

mental opacity

Emphasizes the lack of clarity.

perceptual impairment

Focuses on the difficulty in interpreting sensory information.

grasping deficit

Focuses on difficulty grabbing understanding of a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of comprehension" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of comprehension" to describe someone's inability to understand a concept or situation, like: "His "lack of comprehension" of the instructions led to errors."

What are some alternatives to "lack of comprehension"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "failure to understand", "inability to comprehend", or "limited understanding" as alternatives to "lack of comprehension".

Is it better to use "lack of understanding" or "lack of comprehension"?

"Lack of understanding" and "lack of comprehension" are often interchangeable. "Comprehension" suggests a more complete grasp, while "understanding" can imply a basic grasp. Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "lack of comprehension" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "lack of comprehension" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and direct way to express a failure to understand something. Make sure to provide context and specify what is not being understood.