outside our ken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outside our ken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express something that is beyond one's understanding or knowledge. Example: "The complexities of quantum physics are truly outside our ken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They turned to one of the original writers of Beyond Our Ken, Barry Took and his new writing partner, Marty Feldman.

Wikipedia

The seventh series of Beyond Our Ken finished in February 1964, with an average audience of ten million listeners per programme.

Wikipedia

-- Beyond our ken?

Princeton University

That is not quite within our ken, but bears mention.

Princeton University

Yet it is not something alien and beyond our ken.

The New York Times - Arts

Don't dare to expect that of me, no!" Soars frequently out of our ken.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Naturally, the cleverness of the Wilpon family, principal owner of the Mets, is beyond our ken.

The New York Times

The Internet, once they plugged it in, was slow enough that sharing albums was beyond our ken, mostly.

The New Yorker

We know, we live with, the local effects of these phenomena, but mostly they are quite literally beyond our ken.

The New Yorker

Yet the language is intensely metaphorical as though we are linguistically struggling with things which are, literally, beyond our ken.

The Guardian

The infinite God remains beyond our ken.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using the phrase. While grammatically correct, "outside our ken" is less common than alternatives like "beyond our understanding" and might not be appropriate for all contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "outside our ken" when a simpler phrase like "beyond our knowledge" suffices. Overusing sophisticated language can make your writing seem pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outside our ken" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate something beyond the scope of one's knowledge or understanding. Ludwig confirms the validity of this expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outside our ken" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something is beyond one's understanding or knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While it is a relatively formal expression, it appears in various contexts, including news media, academic writing, and literature. Alternative phrases, such as ""beyond our understanding"" or ""beyond our comprehension"", may be more appropriate in certain situations. The phrase should be used judiciously to avoid pretension and ensure clear communication. Its communicative function is to express a limitation in understanding or knowledge. While grammatically valid, context matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond our comprehension

Replaces "ken" with "comprehension", focusing on the ability to understand.

beyond our understanding

Substitutes "ken" with "understanding", a more common and straightforward term.

beyond our grasp

Uses "grasp" instead of "ken", implying something unattainable or difficult to seize mentally.

not within our knowledge

Rephrases the idea using "knowledge" and a more explicit structure.

beyond the scope of our knowledge

Emphasizes the limitation of knowledge within a specific area.

inscrutable to us

Employs "inscrutable", suggesting something mysterious and impossible to interpret.

unfathomable to us

Uses "unfathomable", indicating something too deep or complex to be understood.

beyond our ken

Focuses on the state of being oblivious; what someone does not know.

eludes our understanding

Highlights the act of something avoiding or escaping our comprehension.

exceeds our mental capacity

Indicates that something surpasses our intellectual ability to process it.

FAQs

What does "outside our ken" mean?

The phrase "outside our ken" means beyond one's knowledge or understanding. It suggests that something is not within the scope of what someone knows or can comprehend.

How can I use "outside our ken" in a sentence?

You can use "outside our ken" to indicate that a particular topic or concept is beyond your or someone else's comprehension. For instance, "The intricacies of quantum physics are completely "beyond our comprehension"."

What are some alternatives to "outside our ken"?

Alternatives to "outside our ken" include "beyond our understanding", "beyond our knowledge", or "beyond our grasp". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "outside our ken" a formal expression?

"Outside our ken" is a relatively formal expression. While grammatically sound and usable in a wide range of writings, it might not be suitable for extremely informal or casual conversation. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use it.