was not comprehensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not comprehensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to understand or unclear. Example: "The instructions provided were so poorly written that they were not comprehensible to the average reader."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not comprehensible".

The New York Times

"It is not comprehensible why I was not informed early and clearly about the measurement problems," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Putting a word of honor above the law is not comprehensible when one has committed a criminal act".

The New York Times

On the other hand, some people argue against E2E systems on the grounds that their mathematical underpinnings are not comprehensible to the average voter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It is not comprehensible that a less sensitive ultrasonic technique should not detect large flaws," wrote Ilse Tweer, a former adviser to the Austrian government.

The Guardian

This was a widespread feeling in China, where, according to Beijing-based literary translator Brendan O'Kane, writers feel Chinese literature is not comprehensible to the rest of the world.

The Guardian - Books

The Eastern European love poems translated by Friedrich Daumer are too mediocre to merit attention, and the German lyrics are not comprehensible to most in the audience.

The New York Times - Arts

But it means that when you see something occur in a complex adaptive system, your mind is going to create a narrative to explain what happened even though cause and effect are not comprehensible in that kind of system.

Harvard Business Review

But when the defendants in those cases are given the benefit of a new constitutional rule forged by the Court, it is not comprehensible, if justice rather than the fortuitous circumstances of the time of the trial is the standard, why all victims of the old unconstitutional rule should not be treated equally.

Cornell University

"The west never reacted to the regime's gross violation of human rights with such measures but for many of us who are fed up with the west's double standards on countries with dubious nuclear policies, such pressure on Iran's nuclear programme is not comprehensible," said an Iranian lawyer based in Tehran.

The Guardian

Except that for a young man, it's not comprehensible, it's the end of the world.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not comprehensible", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect was difficult to understand. Providing additional context improves clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was not comprehensible" in casual conversation; simpler alternatives like "was unclear" or "didn't make sense" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not comprehensible" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes a state of being that indicates a lack of understanding or clarity. Ludwig AI shows this in various contexts, from technical descriptions to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not comprehensible" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to indicate a lack of understanding. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a predicative adjective phrase and serves to convey that something could not be understood. Although considered rare in overall frequency, it finds its primary usage in scientific, news, and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. For more informal settings, consider alternatives like "was unclear" or "didn't make sense".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unintelligible

This alternative emphasizes the inability to understand due to the nature of the language used.

was not understandable

A more direct synonym for "was not comprehensible".

was unclear

This is a more general term indicating a lack of clarity or precision.

was difficult to understand

This phrase directly states the challenge in grasping the meaning.

was beyond understanding

This suggests the subject matter exceeded the capacity to understand.

was indecipherable

Suggests the information was impossible to decode or interpret.

was obscure

This implies the information was hidden or not easily apparent.

was perplexing

Highlights the confusing or puzzling nature of something.

was ambiguous

Indicates the presence of multiple possible interpretations.

was beyond my grasp

Expresses a personal inability to understand something.

FAQs

What does "was not comprehensible" mean?

The phrase "was not comprehensible" means something could not be understood or grasped. It suggests a lack of clarity or the presence of complexity that hinders understanding.

How can I use "was not comprehensible" in a sentence?

You can use "was not comprehensible" to describe anything from instructions to complex theories. For example: "The technical manual "was not comprehensible" to novice users."

What can I say instead of "was not comprehensible"?

You can use alternatives like "was unclear", "was unintelligible", or "was difficult to understand" depending on the context.

Is "was not comprehensible" formal or informal?

"Was not comprehensible" leans towards a more formal register. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "didn't make sense" or ""was unclear"" might be more suitable.