unable to grasp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to grasp" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's difficulty in understanding a concept or idea. Example: "Despite the teacher's best efforts, some students were still unable to grasp the complex mathematical theories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they were unable to grasp the prize.

Independent

"Yes, but I'm still unable to grasp what happened.

The Guardian - Books

Many people simply don't care, perhaps unable to grasp any sense of social contract.

The New York Times

Or does she have a disability that makes her unable to grasp the work?

The New York Times

Other people seemed unable to grasp the concept of a gift bestowed randomly.

The New York Times

Baffled characters struggle to understand the past while they are unable to grasp the present.

The New York Times - Books

They seemed, initially, unable to grasp the severity of what was happening to the financial system.

The Guardian - Opinion

Simmons still appears to be unable to grasp the work's potential consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gabrielle seemed unable to grasp the question or even understand what was being said to her.

The New Yorker

He sat for a while in the sun-washed room, gathering his belongings, still unable to grasp Nabila's death.

The New York Times

We seem unable to grasp or preserve economic gains as other groups do, including Latinos and Asian-Americans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's difficulty in understanding, use "unable to grasp" to convey a sense of struggle or complexity. For instance, "The student was unable to grasp the nuances of quantum physics."

Common error

Avoid using "unable to grasp" in situations where simpler alternatives like "unable to understand" or "didn't get it" would suffice. Using it in overly simple contexts can sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to grasp" functions as a verb phrase expressing an inability to understand something abstract or to physically hold something. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unable to grasp" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a difficulty in understanding or physically holding something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing, with a slightly formal tone. When writing, consider whether simpler alternatives like "unable to understand" would be more appropriate for the context. Ludwig AI examples provide further insight into the diverse applications of this phrase, solidifying its place in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to understand

Focuses specifically on a lack of comprehension.

incapable of understanding

Emphasizes a fundamental lack of ability to comprehend.

unable to comprehend

Highlights a difficulty in grasping complex ideas.

cannot fathom

Suggests a sense of bewilderment or mystery.

fail to grasp

A more direct and concise alternative.

unable to seize

Implies a failure to take hold of an opportunity or concept.

unable to perceive

Focuses on a lack of awareness or sensory understanding.

struggle to understand

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in understanding.

cannot get a handle on

An idiomatic expression for being unable to manage or understand something.

beyond one's comprehension

Indicates that something is too difficult for someone to understand.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "unable to understand", "unable to comprehend", or "fail to grasp" depending on the context.

How do I use "unable to grasp" in a sentence?

Use "unable to grasp" to describe someone's difficulty understanding something complex. For example, "He was unable to grasp the implications of the new policy" or "She was unable to grasp the concept of infinity".

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

"Unable to grasp" often implies a more significant difficulty or complexity in understanding something, while "unable to understand" is a more general term. The first suggests wrestling with the subject matter.

Is "unable to grasp" formal or informal?

"Unable to grasp" leans towards the formal side, suitable for academic, professional, or news contexts. In informal settings, simpler alternatives like "couldn't get" or "didn't understand" might be more appropriate.