unable to fathom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to fathom" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to be unable to understand or comprehend something. Example: I was unable to fathom why he was so upset about losing the game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Unable to fathom his future, severed from his past.

The New Yorker

The English are constitutionally unable to fathom it, and for good reason.

The New Yorker

Unable to fathom what they had seen, the scouts asked him to perform the drill again.

The New York Times - Sports

Unable to fathom the stork, Nasreddin Hodja takes a pair of scissors and cuts off its long beak and legs.

The New Yorker

I was 10, and unable to fathom what it meant, let alone what it had to do with my favorite team's standings.

The New York Times

UNTIL he began considering what it meant to represent America in Venice, he was unable to fathom how to turn his rage into metaphor.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

MARV ALBERT: Unable to penetrate!

The New Yorker

As long as he is unwilling or unable to reveal the specifics, very few people could claim to fathom them.

The Guardian - Sport

Hard to fathom.

The New York Times

The contrast was hard to fathom.

The New York Times

It's ridiculous to fathom".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unable to fathom" to express a complete lack of understanding, especially when encountering something complex or confusing. For example, "I was "unable to fathom" the logic behind their decision."

Common error

While "unable to fathom" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in extremely informal contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate. Phrases like "can't understand" or "don't get it" might be better suited for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to fathom" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a lack of comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples showing the phrase used to describe a person's inability to understand a situation or concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unable to fathom" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey a lack of understanding or comprehension. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase commonly appears in news and media, as well as wiki articles. While not strictly formal, it's best suited for neutral to somewhat formal contexts. Alternatives such as "incapable of understanding" or "cannot comprehend" can be used to achieve similar effects. When employing this phrase, be mindful of the context and ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapable of understanding

Replaces "unable to" with "incapable of", emphasizing a lack of ability to understand.

cannot comprehend

Uses "cannot" instead of "unable to" and "comprehend" instead of "fathom" for a more formal tone.

cannot grasp

Substitutes "fathom" with "grasp", indicating a difficulty in understanding something.

beyond my comprehension

Expresses that something is too difficult to understand, shifting the focus to the speaker's limitations.

hard to understand

Uses a simpler structure to convey difficulty in understanding.

difficult to comprehend

Replaces "fathom" with the more formal "comprehend".

beyond my understanding

Similar to "beyond my comprehension", but uses "understanding" for a slightly less formal tone.

cannot make sense of

Indicates an inability to find logical meaning in something.

struggle to understand

Emphasizes the effort involved in trying to comprehend something.

fail to comprehend

Highlights the failure to grasp something, focusing on the negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "unable to fathom" in a sentence?

"Unable to fathom" is used to express an inability to understand something. For example, "I am unable to fathom their reasoning" or "She was unable to fathom the complexities of the situation".

What can I say instead of "unable to fathom"?

You can use alternatives like "incapable of understanding", "cannot comprehend", or "cannot grasp" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "unable to fathom" or "unable to understand"?

"Unable to fathom" implies a deeper lack of understanding and is often used when something is particularly complex or confusing, while "unable to understand" is more general. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "unable to fathom" and "difficult to understand"?

"Unable to fathom" suggests a complete lack of comprehension. In contrast, "difficult to understand" implies that understanding is possible, but requires effort. The alternative "difficult to comprehend" is very similar in meaning.