unintelligibly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unintelligibly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe speech or writing that is difficult or impossible to understand. Example: "He spoke so quickly and unclearly that his words came out unintelligibly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Ant rattles through his munificent two-hour, 30-song set, occasionally mumbling unintelligibly between songs, and while his singing voice has never been a thing of immense beauty, his attitude and stage presence most indefatigably are.

Independent

For a long time he muttered unintelligibly, kept biting his lips and gently shaking his head.

The New Yorker

Some of the children inside, when not in classes, would rock back and forth; some would flap their hands or jabber unintelligibly.

The New Yorker

She speaks to him in unintelligibly accented English.

The New Yorker

Did it matter that the hotel, one of the cheapest in town, was situated just across from the insane asylum, where day and night the inmates pressed their faces against the iron bars and moaned and shook and shouted unintelligibly?

The New Yorker

Then, too, some parents may not see the point of talking to babies, who can't yet speak, or even of talking much to toddlers, who do, but sometimes unintelligibly.

The New Yorker

She replied unintelligibly.

The New Yorker

At Cake Shop he sang through most of a midnight set — unintelligibly and off key — against sloppy, deep-murk funk grooves with bleating trumpet and saxophone.

The New York Times - Arts

(Literally flat: the videos are projected all but unintelligibly on the floor).

The New York Times

Timbres of instruments are barbed with fuzz tone and static; the voices that infrequently appear might be shouting unintelligibly or nearly buried in the mix.

The New York Times - Arts

I got angry because of his inflammatory language, and since this was not Skype, where I can think before I reply, I ended up shouting back at him unintelligibly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unintelligibly" to describe speech, writing, or other forms of communication that are impossible or very difficult to understand. For instance, "The old recording was so damaged that the voices were heard only unintelligibly."

Common error

Avoid using "unintelligibly" when "inaudibly" is more appropriate. "Unintelligibly" refers to a lack of clarity, whereas "inaudibly" refers to a lack of sound. For instance, use "inaudibly" if someone whispered very quietly, and "unintelligibly" if their accent was too thick to understand.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "unintelligibly" functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, describing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that something is communicated or expressed in a way that is impossible or extremely difficult to understand, as Ludwig shows in several examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unintelligibly" is a grammatically sound adverb that describes something expressed in a way that is difficult or impossible to understand. As Ludwig highlights, its usage is prevalent in diverse contexts, especially within news and media. While synonyms like "incomprehensibly" and "indistinctly" exist, "unintelligibly" specifically addresses clarity. Ludwig's examples show that the term is suitable for various communication forms, emphasizing its broad applicability. Avoid confusing "unintelligibly" with "inaudibly", and using it in contexts where it isn't about the clarity but the logic of content. It's safe to say that using the adverb "unintelligibly" can significantly improve the quality and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an incomprehensible manner

Replaces "unintelligibly" with a more formal synonym, focusing on the inability to understand.

indistinctly

Indicates a lack of clear distinction in speech or sound, similar to being unintelligible.

inarticulately

Focuses on the speaker's inability to express themselves clearly, resulting in unintelligible speech.

murmuringly

Describes speaking in a low, unclear voice, often making the words unintelligible.

mumbling

Implies speaking quietly and unclearly, causing a lack of intelligibility.

in a garbled way

Suggests a distorted or confused manner of speaking, leading to unintelligibility.

in a muddled fashion

Implies a confused and unclear presentation, making the message unintelligible.

obscurely

Indicates a lack of clarity or explicitness, resulting in unintelligibility.

in a slurred tone

Describes speech that is run together, making it difficult to understand.

in a confused voice

Highlights the speaker's mental state as the reason for their lack of clear communication.

FAQs

How can I use "unintelligibly" in a sentence?

You can use "unintelligibly" to describe something spoken, written, or expressed in a way that is impossible or very difficult to understand. For example, "He mumbled "unintelligibly" under his breath".

What are some synonyms for "unintelligibly"?

Some synonyms for "unintelligibly" include "incomprehensibly", "indistinctly", and "inarticulately". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "unintelligibly" or "incoherently"?

"Unintelligibly" refers specifically to a lack of clarity in expression, while "incoherently" suggests a lack of logical connection or organization in thought or speech. Choose "unintelligibly" if the words are unclear but possibly meaningful, and "incoherently" if the words are jumbled and nonsensical.

What does it mean when someone speaks "unintelligibly"?

When someone speaks "unintelligibly", it means their words are difficult or impossible to understand, whether because of poor articulation, mumbling, a strong accent, or some other factor that hinders clear communication.