Difficult to grasp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Difficult to grasp" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is hard to understand or comprehend. Example: "The concept of quantum mechanics can be quite difficult to grasp for those without a background in physics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The plot isn't difficult to grasp.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

His points were difficult to grasp.

The New York Times

Therefore the bowel is difficult to grasp and manipulate.

Medical Engineering & Physics

Even as it stands, the concept is difficult to grasp.

The Guardian

It's actually quite difficult to grasp because it's so fundamental.

Harvard Business Review

Many adults themselves find it difficult to grasp.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it's difficult to grasp precisely what Lesser means.

The New York Times - Books

It's fair to say that what she does is difficult to grasp.

University of California, Berkeley

This is obvious on one level, but on another it can be difficult to grasp.

Stanford University

This is such an enormous amount of money, it's difficult to grasp.

The New York Times

"Love" Was up for a season, followed by "Illness," Concepts difficult to grasp.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to grasp", consider your audience and the context. For technical subjects, provide clear and concise explanations to aid understanding. In creative writing, the phrase can subtly convey a character's confusion or frustration.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to grasp" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "challenging to understand" or "hard to comprehend" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to grasp" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the characteristic of something being hard to understand or comprehend. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its application in various contexts, such as describing abstract concepts or complex situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to grasp" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe concepts or subjects that are not easily understood. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While alternatives like "hard to comprehend" or "challenging to understand" exist, "difficult to grasp" maintains its relevance and clarity. It's important to be mindful of audience and avoid overuse, ensuring that explanations accompany complex subjects to aid comprehension. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its validity and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hard to comprehend

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" and "grasp" with "comprehend", maintaining a similar level of formality.

Challenging to understand

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "grasp" with "understand", suggesting a slightly more active effort is needed.

Not easily understood

Uses a passive construction to convey the same meaning, emphasizing the lack of ease in understanding.

Beyond one's comprehension

Indicates that something is completely impossible for someone to understand.

Abstract and hard to follow

Adds the dimension of abstraction, implying that the difficulty arises from the topic's intangible nature.

Tough to make sense of

Uses a more informal tone, suggesting a struggle to find meaning or coherence.

Esoteric and complex

Highlights the specialized knowledge required to understand something, making it difficult for outsiders.

Presents a cognitive challenge

Frames the difficulty as a mental obstacle, suitable for more formal or academic contexts.

Requires deep thought to understand

Emphasizes the need for careful and prolonged consideration to achieve understanding.

Not immediately obvious

Indicates that the meaning or solution is not apparent on first inspection.

FAQs

How can I use "Difficult to grasp" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to grasp" to describe concepts or ideas that are hard to understand. For example, "The concept of quantum physics is often "difficult to grasp" for beginners."

What are some alternatives to "Difficult to grasp"?

Some alternatives include "hard to comprehend", "challenging to understand", or "not easily understood". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "Difficult to grasp" or "Hard to understand"?

"Difficult to grasp" and "hard to understand" are largely interchangeable. "Difficult to grasp" might be slightly more formal, but both are acceptable in most contexts.

When should I use "Difficult to grasp" instead of "Impossible to understand"?

Use "difficult to grasp" when something requires effort and explanation to understand, but is not completely beyond comprehension. Use "impossible to understand" when something is inherently incomprehensible, no matter the effort.