Difficult to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Difficult to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is hard to determine or figure out. Example: "The reasons for the sudden change in policy are difficult to ascertain without further information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

score difficult to ascertain.

The New Yorker

Data for military casualties are difficult to ascertain.

The Washington Post

The net effect of their impact is difficult to ascertain.

Independent

How widespread these cases are is difficult to ascertain.

The New York Times

Place of origin was more difficult to ascertain however.

Journal of Archaeological Science

Basic Contradictions Just who David Chang is has been difficult to ascertain.

The New York Times

It is difficult to ascertain from the volunteers which ones might seek such a role.

The New York Times

It is Iran -- not Iraq -- whose true policy on the issue has been difficult to ascertain.

The New York Times

Venezuela's opaque financing, though, made it difficult to ascertain exactly how many projects were completed.

The Washington Post

Another team official, however, acknowledged it's difficult to ascertain what Rendon is thinking.

The Washington Post

It is difficult to ascertain whether this strategy has been successful.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to ascertain", ensure the context clearly indicates what is creating the difficulty. Providing possible reasons or factors contributing to the uncertainty enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to ascertain" in situations where simpler language like "hard to know" or "unclear" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to ascertain" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a quality of being hard to determine or discover. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable status in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to ascertain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that expresses uncertainty or a challenge in determining something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in News & Media and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the source or reason for the difficulty. While effective, avoid overuse in simple situations where more straightforward language would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to determine

Focuses on the effort required to reach a decision or conclusion.

challenging to establish

Emphasizes the obstacles in proving or validating something.

not easy to figure out

A more informal way of saying something is difficult to understand or solve.

not readily apparent

Highlights the lack of immediate visibility or obviousness.

obscure

Indicates that something is vague, unclear, or not easily understood.

not clear

A simple and direct way of saying that something lacks clarity.

ambiguous

Suggests that something is open to multiple interpretations.

elusive

Indicates that something is hard to catch, find, or understand.

uncertain

Focuses on the lack of sureness or definiteness.

debatable

Implies that something is subject to discussion or argument, rather than being a settled fact.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to ascertain" in a sentence?

Use "difficult to ascertain" when you want to express that something is not easily discovered or determined. For example, "The motive behind his actions is "difficult to ascertain"."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to ascertain"?

Some alternatives include "hard to determine", "challenging to establish", or "not easy to figure out". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "difficult to ascertain" formal or informal?

"Difficult to ascertain" is generally considered a formal expression. In more casual settings, you might opt for phrases like "hard to tell" or "not clear".

What makes something "difficult to ascertain"?

Something might be "difficult to ascertain" due to a lack of information, conflicting evidence, or inherent complexity in the subject matter.