not comprehensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not comprehensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be understood or is unclear. Example: "The instructions were so poorly written that they were not comprehensible to anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The levels of comprehensibility for each item were categorized on a 4-point scale (0, not comprehensible; 1, slightly comprehensible; 2, moderately comprehensible; and 3, highly comprehensible).

Arthritis Research and Therapy

It's not comprehensible".

The New York Times

"It is not comprehensible why I was not informed early and clearly about the measurement problems," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Putting a word of honor above the law is not comprehensible when one has committed a criminal act".

The New York Times

On the other hand, some people argue against E2E systems on the grounds that their mathematical underpinnings are not comprehensible to the average voter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It is not comprehensible that a less sensitive ultrasonic technique should not detect large flaws," wrote Ilse Tweer, a former adviser to the Austrian government.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

On Wednesday, a day after G.M. announced it would keep Opel, he told the German daily newspaper Bild that "such a sudden shift isn't comprehensible".

The New York Times

Whistling Cristiano isn't comprehensible," said Ancelotti.

BBC

Not that the phrase "CatCon" isn't comprehensible enough -- both cats and conventions are staple elements of nerd culture in the United States and beyond.

Huffington Post

Just as evolution leads to digital circuits that aren't comprehensible in terms of logic gates -- one has to go to the transistor level to crack them -- evolution probably led to neural circuits that aren't comprehensible in terms of neurons.

HuffPost

Their languages are not mutually comprehensible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience. If writing for a general audience, simpler alternatives like "unclear" or "not understandable" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "not comprehensible" when simpler words like "unclear" or "confusing" would suffice. Overusing formal language in informal settings can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not comprehensible" primarily functions as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that something is difficult or impossible to understand. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not comprehensible" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, primarily functioning as an adjective phrase to denote a lack of understanding or clarity. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it tends to appear more often in neutral to formal contexts, such as news, science, and encyclopedic sources. Simpler alternatives like "unclear" or "not understandable" may be more appropriate for informal settings. The provided writing guidance emphasizes the importance of context and audience when choosing between "not comprehensible" and its synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unintelligible

Replaces the phrase with a single word that means impossible to understand.

incomprehensible

A single-word synonym emphasizing the inability to understand something.

not understandable

A more direct and simpler way to express the same idea.

beyond understanding

Indicates that something is too complex or difficult to grasp.

difficult to grasp

Focuses on the difficulty in understanding or comprehending something.

elusive to understanding

Highlights the idea that understanding is difficult to achieve.

not readily grasped

Emphasizes that understanding requires effort or is not immediately apparent.

opaque

Uses a metaphorical term to describe something that is not clear or transparent in meaning.

impenetrable

Implies that something is impossible to understand or get through.

fails to make sense

Highlights the lack of coherence or logical connection.

FAQs

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

You can use "not comprehensible" to describe something difficult to understand. For instance, "The technical jargon made the document "not comprehensible" to the average reader".

What alternatives can I use instead of "not comprehensible"?

Alternatives include "unintelligible", "incomprehensible", or "not understandable". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "not comprehensible" formal or informal?

"Not comprehensible" is generally considered more formal than simpler alternatives like "unclear" or "confusing".

What's the difference between "not comprehensible" and "incomprehensible"?

"Incomprehensible" ("incomprehensible") is a single-word synonym for "not comprehensible", often used in more formal or technical contexts. Both convey the same core meaning of being impossible to understand.