Hard to read

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Hard to read" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe text or material that is difficult to understand or decipher. Example: "The handwriting on this note is so messy that it's hard to read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hard to read.

The New York Times

Hard to read that without feeling depressed.

The Guardian - Books

Hard to read Chip Kelly.

Los Angeles Times

Awkward and hard to read.

The New York Times

Overstuffed and hard to read.

The New York Times

But he is hard to read.

The New York Times

He found horses hard to read.

The New York Times - Books

She was very hard to read.

The New Yorker

Jobs data can be hard to read.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A hard-to-read table is appended.

Harvard University

Hemingway analyzes a block of text, highlighting hard-to-read and very-hard-to-read sentences.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing documents or texts, use "Hard to read" to directly convey that the material is difficult to understand due to its complexity, poor writing, or formatting.

Common error

Avoid using "Hard to read" when simpler terms like "unclear" or "confusing" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where the difficulty stems from inherent complexity or obfuscation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Hard to read" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that something presents challenges in comprehension or interpretation. Ludwig AI confirms it is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Hard to read" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express difficulty in understanding or interpreting something. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is widely accepted and used in various contexts, primarily in News & Media. Alternatives like "difficult to understand" or "unclear" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using "Hard to read", ensure that the context genuinely involves complexity or obfuscation, rather than simple confusion. Remember, clarity is key in effective communication!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Difficult to understand

Focuses on the challenge in comprehending the subject.

Not easy to understand

Emphasizes the lack of ease in understanding.

Challenging to decipher

Highlights the difficulty in decoding or interpreting.

Obscure

Suggests a lack of clarity or explicitness.

Incomprehensible

Indicates an inability to be understood.

Unclear

Implies a lack of clarity or precision.

Murky

Suggests a lack of transparency, making understanding difficult.

Ambiguous

Indicates the presence of multiple possible meanings.

Vague

Highlights a lack of specificity or detail.

Unintelligible

Suggests that something cannot be understood due to poor articulation or structure.

FAQs

How can I use "Hard to read" in a sentence?

You can use "Hard to read" to describe something difficult to understand. For example, "The instructions were so poorly written that they were "hard to read"".

What are some alternatives to saying "Hard to read"?

Alternatives include "difficult to understand", "unclear", or "incomprehensible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "Hard to read" or "Difficult to read"?

Both "Hard to read" and "Difficult to read" are correct and generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What does it mean when someone says a person is "Hard to read"?

When applied to a person, "Hard to read" means their thoughts, emotions, or intentions are not easily discernible. Their behavior might be ambiguous or their expressions inscrutable.