What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unscannable
Example
The old newspaper article was unscannable due to the faded ink and blurry text. [unscannable: adjective]
Example
The PDF file was unscannable because it had no text layer and was just an image. [unscannable: adjective]
unintelligible
Example
The speaker's accent was so strong that his words were unintelligible to the audience. [unintelligible: adjective]
Example
The handwriting on the note was so messy that it was almost unintelligible. [unintelligible: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unintelligible is more commonly used than unscannable in everyday language, as it covers a broader range of contexts and has a stronger emotional impact. Unscannable is a more technical term that is mainly used in the context of document management or data processing.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between unscannable and unintelligible?
Unscannable is a technical term that is mainly used in formal or professional contexts, such as computer science, data entry, or document processing. Unintelligible is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the tone and context of the communication.
