incomprehensibly
incomprehensibly — adjective
1. Something that is so confusing, unclear, or badly expressed that you cannot make
Something that is so confusing, unclear, or badly expressed that you cannot make any sense of it at all — for example, a piece of writing full of jargon, a mumbled speech, or a very complex explanation.
The physics lecture was full of equations and incomprehensible to most of the class.
'be + incomprehensible + to [person]' for describing something the listener cannot follow
Mei-Ling put the incomprehensible instruction manual aside and searched for a video tutorial instead.
'incomprehensible' as an attributive adjective before a noun
The toddler's excited story about dinosaurs was almost incomprehensible through her laughter.
- unintelligible
Stronger emphasis on the sound or signal being impossible to make out, e.g. a garbled phone line
- impenetrable
Suggests a text or subject so dense that no effort can unlock its meaning
- baffling
More about the feeling of confusion it produces in the listener or reader
- comprehensible
Straightforward opposite; easy to grasp
- understandable
More common in everyday speech
- clear
Emphasises freedom from confusion or ambiguity
文法句型
be + incomprehensible
incomprehensible + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'to' to show who finds something impossible to understand: 'The document was incomprehensible to the new staff.' Often collocates with 'completely', 'totally', 'utterly', or 'almost'.
常見錯誤
2. Describing a decision, event, or action that is so unreasonable or shocking that
Describing a decision, event, or action that is so unreasonable or shocking that it seems to have no logical explanation — for example, an act of cruelty, a baffling choice, or a situation that defies common sense.
It seems incomprehensible that anyone would ignore such clear warning signs before the storm.
'it is incomprehensible that…' pattern for expressing disbelief about a situation
The committee described the official's decision to cut funds as morally incomprehensible.
'morally incomprehensible' — common collocation with ethical judgement adverbs
To Priyanka, her neighbour's complete lack of curiosity about the world was utterly incomprehensible.
- inexplicable
Very close in meaning; 'inexplicable' is slightly more neutral while 'incomprehensible' carries stronger emotional shock
- unfathomable
More literary; suggests depths of meaning that cannot be plumbed
- baffling
Highlights the puzzle-like quality of the situation rather than moral outrage
- explicable
Straightforward opposite; capable of being explained
- understandable
In this sense means 'reasonable given the circumstances'
文法句型
be + incomprehensible + that-clause
it is incomprehensible that…
用法筆記
Frequently used in the 'it is incomprehensible that…' structure to express strong disbelief or moral condemnation. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not describe unclear language or writing — it refers to actions or situations that defy rational explanation.
常見錯誤
incomprehensibly — adverb
1. In a manner that makes it very difficult or impossible for someone to understand
In a manner that makes it very difficult or impossible for someone to understand what is being said, written, or expressed — typically used with verbs of communication such as 'speak', 'mumble', 'write', or 'behave'.
The witness spoke so quietly and incomprehensibly that the judge asked her to repeat everything.
'speak incomprehensibly' — collocation with a verb of communication
Olaf wrote the email incomprehensibly, cramming every detail into one long, rambling paragraph.
The contract was written incomprehensibly, so both parties hired lawyers to clarify it.
- unintelligibly
Nearly identical; 'unintelligibly' emphasises the sound being impossible to decipher, while 'incomprehensibly' can also cover logical confusion
- inscrutably
Suggests deliberate hiding of meaning; more literary
- obscurely
Focuses on lack of clarity rather than total impossibility
- clearly
Direct opposite; in an easy-to-understand way
- intelligibly
Formal opposite; in a way that can be understood
文法句型
[verb] + incomprehensibly
用法筆記
This adverb typically modifies verbs of communication or expression (speak, write, mumble, phrase, explain). It is rarer than the adjective form and belongs mostly to formal or written registers. In everyday speech, people are more likely to say 'in a way that nobody could understand'.