a difficult reading

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult reading" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a text or material that is challenging to understand or interpret. Example: "The novel is known for its complex themes and intricate language, making it a difficult reading for many students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

For instance, the system retrieves an easy reading passage for an easy item, while it retrieves a difficult reading passage for a difficult item.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

This is a difficult reading to defend, however, for Aristotle says that after someone experiences a bout of akrasia his ignorance is dissolved and he becomes a knower again (1147b6-7).

SEP

For example, before John Jay's website redesign, they had a lot of great copy but there was too much small text making for a difficult reading experience.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That was quite a difficult read.

The Guardian - Sport

This book is a difficult read, jumbled and confused.

The Economist

Its graphic description of an abortion, and its horrific, sadomasochistic resolution, made it a difficult read.

The New York Times - Books

A difficult read, but worth it".The Free-Market Innovation Machine", by William Baumol.

The Economist

This makes for a difficult read, though it facilitates quick dipping and fact checking.

The Economist

"When you look at it, it is weirdly disjointed, and that makes it a difficult read".

The New York Times

Nonetheless, it wasn't a difficult read for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger; anticipating blitz, he threw hot to Wallace on a slant.

The New York Times

At times it is a difficult read, and at others a fun ride around the bird-listening subculture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the difficulty of understanding a text, consider specifying the aspect that makes it challenging, such as complex themes, dense language, or intricate structure.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "a difficult reading" without providing context. Instead, elaborate on why it's difficult; this adds clarity and value to your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult reading" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" is an adjective modifying the noun "reading". It describes the characteristic of a text or material that makes it hard to understand. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult reading" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a text that presents challenges in comprehension. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare, it appears in diverse contexts, primarily News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify why the reading is difficult to enhance clarity. For alternative phrasing, consider "a challenging text" or "a tough read" depending on your desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging text

Replaces 'reading' with 'text' to broaden the scope beyond the act of reading.

a tough read

Uses 'tough' as a synonym for 'difficult', offering a more informal tone.

a complex interpretation

Shifts focus to the act of interpreting, highlighting the complexity involved.

a laborious reading

Emphasizes the effort required for reading.

a demanding text

Highlights the demanding nature of the material.

an arduous reading

Focuses on the strenuous effort involved in the reading process.

a dense passage

Describes the reading material as compact and hard to get through.

an impenetrable text

Highlights the impossibility to understand the text.

a puzzling read

Emphasizes the confusing aspect of the reading.

a complicated text

Highlights the intricate and complex nature of the text.

FAQs

How can I use "a difficult reading" in a sentence?

You can use "a difficult reading" to describe texts that require significant effort to understand. For example: "The philosophical treatise proved to be a difficult reading due to its abstract concepts."

What can I say instead of "a difficult reading"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging text", "a tough read", or "a complex interpretation" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a difficult reading"?

Yes, "a difficult reading" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a text that is hard to understand.

What makes "a difficult reading" different from "a challenging reading"?

"A difficult reading" and "a challenging reading" are quite similar. "Difficult" often implies a higher degree of effort or complexity compared to "challenging".