to be comprehended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be comprehended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the understanding or grasping of a concept, idea, or information. Example: "The complex theory was difficult to explain, but it was essential for the students to be comprehended fully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Solutions theoretically exist; they are simply too intricate, so far, to be comprehended.

The New Yorker

KEEN It's like in the movie "Lincoln," when he says, "What a joy to be comprehended!" That's always been us.

The New York Times

The Mother Goose rhymes suggest a comforting world governed by observable, Newtonian law, but these lines imply drives too complex, hidden (circuitry), or big (troposphere) to be comprehended.

The New Yorker

Many schemes have arisen successively, all of which have had to take views on two important aspects: the general scale of treatment to be adopted and the degree to which human modification is to be comprehended or discounted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"What we know of whales", writes Ms Kelsey, "we extrapolate from the tiny glimpses researchers get at the water surface, and even then, only by looking in the same old places".She is doubtful that man will ever fully understand whales which operate on a scale too large to be comprehended by human senses.

The Economist

Within Schopenhauer's vision of the world as Will, there is no God to be comprehended, and the world is conceived of as being meaningless.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

For considerable stretches, the Grove seems to be comprehending the entirety of musical experience, but then it stumbles into areas where it has only limited competence.

The New Yorker

This has been comprehended to be related to the repulsing effect of the negative bias on the substrate to the reacting anions (here is S2-).

Nanoscale Research Letters

What needs to be better comprehended is spiritual Quantum Entanglement.

TechCrunch

However, specific characteristics of these users need to be identified and comprehended.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

"He seems to be struggling to comprehend what's going on".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be comprehended", ensure the subject is something complex or abstract that requires significant mental effort to understand. For instance, "the intricacies of quantum physics need to be comprehended by aspiring physicists".

Common error

Avoid using "to be comprehended" when a simpler alternative like "to be understood" would suffice. For example, instead of saying "the instructions need to be comprehended", opt for "the instructions need to be understood" if the instructions are straightforward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be comprehended" functions as an infinitive phrase, often serving as part of a verb phrase. It describes something that needs to be understood. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts where a deeper level of understanding or mental effort is required.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be comprehended" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to describe the necessity of understanding something, especially when it involves complexity or abstraction. Ludwig's analysis of various sources indicates that it is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts. While perfectly acceptable, it is best employed when a more profound level of understanding is required, distinguishing it from simpler alternatives like "to be understood". The examples provided by Ludwig underscore its applicability in diverse scenarios, from philosophical implications to technical instructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be understood

Focuses on the general act of understanding without necessarily implying complexity.

to be grasped

Emphasizes the act of seizing or mentally taking hold of an idea or concept.

to be apprehended

Implies a more formal or technical understanding, often used in legal or philosophical contexts.

to be perceived

Focuses on sensory or intuitive understanding rather than intellectual comprehension.

to be realized

Shifts the focus to becoming aware or fully conscious of something.

to be deciphered

Highlights the process of unraveling or interpreting something complex or obscure.

to be assimilated

Focuses on incorporating new information into existing knowledge.

to be internalized

Implies a deeper level of understanding where the concept becomes part of one's own beliefs or values.

to be fathomed

Suggests exploring or understanding something profound or mysterious.

to be cognized

A more technical term for recognizing or becoming aware of something.

FAQs

How can I use "to be comprehended" in a sentence?

You can use "to be comprehended" when discussing the process of understanding something complex or abstract. For example, "The philosophical implications of the theory are difficult "to be comprehended" without a strong background in metaphysics."

What are some alternatives to "to be comprehended"?

Alternatives include "to be understood", "to be grasped", or "to be apprehended", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The choice depends on the complexity and formality of the context.

Which is correct, "to be comprehended" or "to be understood"?

Both "to be comprehended" and "to be understood" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "To be comprehended" often implies a deeper, more thorough level of understanding, while "to be understood" is more general.

What is the difference between "to be comprehended" and "to be memorized"?

"To be comprehended" refers to understanding something, while "to be memorized" refers to committing something to memory without necessarily understanding it. The classics of the time were "to be memorized" completely and comprehended thoroughly before being cited.