not comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a lack of understanding or inability to grasp a concept or information. Example: "Despite the detailed explanation, I still do not comprehend the underlying principles of the theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I could not comprehend what we seeing.

The Guardian

"Kipple-ized?" She did not comprehend.

The New York Times

I could not comprehend it".

The Guardian

Dr. Shibil said she could not comprehend that attitude.

The New York Times

Mrs. Blynn, somehow, could not comprehend good will.

The New Yorker

"She just does not comprehend," Mrs. Tesauro says.

The New York Times - Health

Why have I taken blame for what I did not comprehend?

The New York Times - Arts

Many could not comprehend how they failed to prevent such avoidable, self-inflicted wounds.

The New York Times

She was immersed in the writing of a book that she did not comprehend.

The New Yorker

He does not comprehend, and also fines him additionally for trying to evade justice.

The New Yorker

But this accepted practice does not comprehend or justify that attempted here.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not comprehend", ensure the context clearly indicates what is not being understood to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using unnecessarily complex sentence structures when expressing a lack of understanding. Simpler phrasing can often be more effective and direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not comprehend" functions as a negative verb phrase indicating a lack of understanding or inability to grasp a concept. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts where this phrase is used to express incomprehension.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

23%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not comprehend" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a lack of understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers numerous examples across diverse sources such as news, scientific publications, and academic texts. While it has a neutral tone, it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Related phrases like "fail to understand" or "struggle to grasp" offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. When employing "not comprehend", ensure clarity in the context to effectively convey the subject of incomprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to understand

Indicates a lack of understanding, similar to "not comprehend" but slightly more direct.

struggle to grasp

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding something.

be unable to fathom

Suggests a deep level of incomprehension, often used for complex or abstract concepts.

lack understanding of

Highlights the absence of knowledge or comprehension.

be at a loss to understand

Indicates confusion and an inability to find meaning.

cannot make sense of

Focuses on the inability to find a logical or coherent meaning.

be beyond one's understanding

Implies that something is too complex or difficult for someone to understand.

be oblivious to

Suggests a complete lack of awareness or understanding.

miss the point of

Indicates a failure to understand the central or important aspect of something.

be ignorant of

Highlights a lack of knowledge or awareness about something.

FAQs

How can I use "not comprehend" in a sentence?

You can use "not comprehend" to express a lack of understanding. For example, "I could "not comprehend" the instructions" or "She does "not comprehend" the court process".

What are some alternatives to "not comprehend"?

Some alternatives include "fail to understand", "struggle to grasp", or "be unable to fathom". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not understand" or "not comprehend"?

"Not understand" is generally more common and straightforward. "Not comprehend" is slightly more formal and can imply a deeper level of inability to grasp something complex. Both are correct, but the choice depends on the desired tone.

What's the difference between "not comprehend" and "misunderstand"?

"Not comprehend" means failing to understand something at all, while "misunderstand" means understanding it incorrectly. For example, if you "not comprehend" the instructions, you don't understand them at all. If you misunderstand them, you think you understand them but have an incorrect interpretation.