this is incomprehensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is incomprehensible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is difficult or impossible to understand. Example: "After reading the report, I must say, this is incomprehensible; I can't make sense of the data presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This is incomprehensible to Americans: a party that calls for banning the Koran and terms Islam a totalitarian ideology seems by definition extreme-right in an American context.

The Economist

In other parts of the world this is incomprehensible — what heartless creep would favor a perfect stranger over his own brother?

The New York Times

22 This is incomprehensible when more than half of patients who die after cardiac surgery or post-infarction shock could survive with appropriate treatment.

Heart

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

All of this was incomprehensible, even to longtime observers of violence in Kashmir.

The Guardian

This was incomprehensible to many in Spain and gave rise to all sorts of rumors — that the family was embarrassed about the poet's homosexuality; that it had already privately dug him up and reburied him years before.

The New Yorker

That a historian would repeat this distortion is incomprehensible when case records are available.

The New York Times - Books

Approval of this project is incomprehensible when the safety and national security risks are adequately considered.

The New York Times

In all, this extract is incomprehensible, due to the lack of mastery of even the most basic grammatical structures.

The Guardian

This attitude is incomprehensible to the Colonel, who believes that making money is a reward for the virtuous, not a matter of cost accounting.

The New Yorker

If its intentions were peaceful as claimed, this behaviour is "incomprehensible", says Pierre Goldschmidt, a former deputy head of the IAEA.Mr ElBaradei, the head of the IAEA, seems less certain of this.

The Economist

While there is something rather magnificent about Sir John Chilcot and an unnamed spy chatting in quotes from the Aeneid during the Iraq Inquiry, to most of us this stuff is incomprehensible.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is incomprehensible" when you want to express a strong sense of not being able to understand something due to its complexity, lack of clarity, or inherent absurdity.

Common error

While appropriate in formal writing and serious discussions, avoid using "this is incomprehensible" too frequently in casual conversation, as it can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Simpler phrases may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is incomprehensible" functions as a declarative statement expressing a complete lack of understanding or the inability to make sense of something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is incomprehensible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a lack of understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig, its versatility makes it suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. While direct, it is best reserved for situations where a genuine lack of comprehension needs to be expressed, with simpler alternatives considered for very casual conversations. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian employ this phrase, attesting to its acceptability in reputable publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is beyond comprehension

A stronger way of saying something is impossible to understand.

this is unintelligible

Focuses on the quality of the information itself being impossible to understand.

this is baffling

Similar to perplexing, but emphasizes the frustrating nature of the lack of understanding.

this is perplexing

Suggests something is confusing and causes bewilderment.

this makes no sense

A more direct and informal way of expressing a lack of understanding.

this is unfathomable

Indicates something is too deep or complex to be fully understood.

this is beyond my understanding

Emphasizes a personal limitation in comprehending something.

i cannot grasp this

Highlights the inability to mentally seize or comprehend something.

i'm at a loss to understand this

Indicates a state of being unable to comprehend something, often due to its complexity or strangeness.

this is a mystery to me

Implies something is puzzling and cannot be easily explained.

FAQs

What does "this is incomprehensible" mean?

The phrase "this is incomprehensible" means that something is impossible or very difficult to understand.

How can I use "this is incomprehensible" in a sentence?

You can use it to express your inability to understand something, for example, "After reading the complex equation, I have to admit, "this is incomprehensible" to me."

What can I say instead of "this is incomprehensible"?

Alternatives include "this is unintelligible", "this makes no sense", or "this is beyond my understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "this is incomprehensible" formal or informal?

While not overly formal, "this is incomprehensible" is suitable for both professional and academic settings. In very casual conversations, simpler phrases might be preferred.