we cannot begin to fathom

USAGE SUMMARY

'we cannot begin to fathom' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is too complex or mysterious to understand. For example, "We cannot begin to fathom the depths of the ocean, or the mysteries that it holds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We cannot begin to fathom how rich our everyday standard of living is in contrast with that of the Roman Empire.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And much of Stamford at large, she feels, cannot begin to fathom that gangs may be in the community.

The New York Times

Aside from the risks they face of being injured or killed, one cannot begin to fathom what this means for their long-term mental health and well-being.

Huffington Post

We cannot begin to express our sorrow over her loss.

The New York Times

He added that "one cannot even begin to fathom" why Nintendo would not release their own English localization.

Wikipedia

Being told you have a terminal illness at such a young age is something I cannot even begin to fathom.

Huffington Post

I cannot even begin to fathom what Travyon's parent are going through -- trying to imagine their pain chills me to the bone.

Huffington Post

Frank Caron of Ars Technica said that the fan translation's "massive undertaking... stands as a massive success" and that "one cannot even begin to fathom why Nintendo wouldn't see fit to release the game in the West".

Wikipedia

Frank Caron of Ars Technica said that the fan translation's "massive undertaking... stands as a massive success", and that "one cannot even begin to fathom" why Nintendo would not release their own English localization.

Wikipedia

Someone in the comments on one of the original posts mentioned doing this for a week with Manowar, and I cannot even begin to fathom what his brain must have felt like after that.

Vice

I cannot even begin to fathom, for example, why anyone would actually desire to be the governor of California, but Meg Whitman desperately wants to, for some reason, and has spent "more than $90 million of her own money" toward that goal.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "we cannot begin to fathom" to express a profound lack of understanding or an inability to fully grasp the complexities of a situation or concept. It suggests that the subject is so vast or intricate that it defies easy comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "we cannot begin to fathom" in situations where a simpler expression of misunderstanding would suffice. The phrase is best reserved for truly perplexing or overwhelming subjects, not everyday occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we cannot begin to fathom" functions as an expression of epistemic uncertainty or incomprehension. It highlights a significant limitation in understanding, often in the face of complex or overwhelming subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we cannot begin to fathom" is a powerful expression used to convey a deep sense of incomprehension or the inability to fully grasp something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase, though its frequency is uncommon. Predominantly found in news media, it often describes situations that are complex or mysterious. Consider related phrases like "we cannot fully grasp" or "it is beyond our comprehension" for similar meanings. Remember to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where true complexity warrants its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we cannot fully grasp

Replaces "begin to fathom" with "fully grasp", focusing on the limit of understanding.

we cannot truly comprehend

Substitutes "begin to fathom" with "truly comprehend", emphasizing a lack of deep understanding.

we cannot even imagine

Replaces "begin to fathom" with "even imagine", highlighting the difficulty in visualizing or conceiving something.

it is beyond our comprehension

Changes the structure to focus on the inherent incomprehensibility of the subject.

it is difficult for us to understand

Offers a more straightforward and less emphatic way of expressing difficulty in understanding.

we struggle to understand

Replaces with a verb that has a more complex meaning to show lack of insight.

we fail to understand

Replaces with a verb that has a more complex meaning to show lack of insight.

we are unable to perceive

Swaps with "perceive", meaning that something cannot be noticed.

we are unable to appreciate

Swaps with "appreciate", meaning that we cannot recognize something.

we are at a loss to understand

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey confusion and lack of understanding.

FAQs

What does "we cannot begin to fathom" mean?

It means that something is so complex, immense, or mysterious that it's impossible to fully understand or comprehend it. It indicates a profound lack of understanding.

How can I use "we cannot begin to fathom" in a sentence?

You can use it when describing situations or concepts that are beyond easy comprehension. For instance, "we cannot begin to fathom the true scale of the universe".

What are some alternatives to "we cannot begin to fathom"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we cannot fully grasp", "we cannot truly comprehend", or "it is beyond our comprehension" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I cannot begin to fathom" instead of "we"?

Yes, changing "we" to "I" is grammatically correct. However, "we" often implies a shared or collective inability to understand, while "I" indicates a personal lack of comprehension.