unable to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unable to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a lack of comprehension or clarity regarding a particular subject or statement. Example: "After reading the complex report, I found myself unable to understand the main conclusions drawn by the authors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everybody is simply unable to understand it.

The New York Times

Unable to understand, they missed their turn.

The Washington Post

He complained of being unable to understand his witness statement.

The Guardian

He was tired of being unable to understand his mail.

The New York Times

She held the map, unable to understand what it meant.

The Guardian - Travel

"But I am unable to understand why the minister released the glacier report now.

The Washington Post

We seem unable to understand that we are driving such changes.

The Guardian

How you do it, I in my weakness am unable to understand.

The New Yorker

They were simply unable to understand that a girl might present differently to a boy".

The Guardian

He was unable to understand the proceedings due to the poor quality of interpretation.

The Guardian - Sport

He seemed shellshocked and unable to understand how things had gone wrong so quickly.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unable to understand", ensure the subject and object are clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what the person is unable to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "unable to understand" in sentences that are already convoluted or filled with jargon. Simplify the sentence structure first for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unable to understand" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a lack of capacity or ability to comprehend something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unable to understand" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a lack of comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is widespread across various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. It serves the purpose of conveying difficulty or inability to grasp information, and it maintains a neutral register. Alternatives like "unable to comprehend" or "cannot grasp" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. When using the phrase, clarity in subject and object is crucial to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapable of understanding

This alternative emphasizes a general lack of capacity to understand.

unable to comprehend

This option uses a more formal synonym for 'understand', implying a deeper level of intellectual processing.

cannot grasp

This phrase suggests a difficulty in seizing or taking hold of an idea or concept.

failing to understand

This alternative highlights the active process of not succeeding in understanding.

struggling to understand

This option conveys effort and difficulty in achieving understanding.

at a loss to understand

This idiom indicates a state of confusion or bewilderment.

beyond my comprehension

This phrase emphasizes that something exceeds one's ability to understand.

missing the point

This expression suggests a failure to understand the central or most important aspect of something.

not getting it

An informal way to say someone does not understand.

oblivious to the meaning

This option implies a lack of awareness or perception of the intended meaning.

FAQs

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

Use "unable to understand" to indicate a lack of comprehension. For example, "The student was unable to understand the complex equation."

What are some alternatives to "unable to understand"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to comprehend", "cannot grasp", or "failing to understand depending on the context.

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

"Unable to comprehend" is a more formal alternative to "unable to understand", but both are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning.

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

"Unable to understand" implies a lack of capacity or comprehension, while "unwilling to understand" suggests a deliberate refusal or resistance to understanding.