What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incomprehensible
Example
The professor's lecture on quantum physics was incomprehensible to the students. [incomprehensible: adjective]
Example
The legal document was filled with incomprehensible jargon that made it hard to understand. [incomprehensible: adjective]
unintelligible
Example
The recording was so distorted that the words were unintelligible. [unintelligible: adjective]
Example
The toddler's babbling was cute but unintelligible to the adults. [unintelligible: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unintelligible is more commonly used than incomprehensible in everyday language. Unintelligible is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while incomprehensible is less common and refers to more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between incomprehensible and unintelligible?
Both incomprehensible and unintelligible are formal words that are typically used in academic or technical contexts. However, unintelligible is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
