a difficult term

USAGE SUMMARY

"a difficult term" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is complex or hard to understand. For example, "The concept of quantum mechanics is a difficult term for most people to comprehend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Her students listen, occasionally asking the meaning of a difficult term.

The Guardian

Trial or no trial, Mr Berlusconi seems set for a difficult term leading the EU.

The Guardian

It's a difficult term to translate, but probably best understood as a kind of studied carelessness in manner – an ease and grace in the courtier's conversation and behaviour that covers up the effort of projecting an agreeable persona.

The Guardian - Books

A useful distinction is between disengagement, where somebody leaves an extremist group while possibly still holding the beliefs that got them involved, and deradicalisation, a difficult term that implies at least some fundamental change in how people view and make sense of the world around them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Task engagement is a difficult term to be defined but it can be recognized when it is around or missing.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

In languages for which "follow-up" proved a difficult term to translate or understand, alternative expressions such as "monitoring" were found acceptable.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But his inexperience in his first year in office, and the failures it caused, made it a pretty difficult term the rest of the way".

The New York Times

On the other hand, the results obtained with the P1B-HTK system confirm the difficulty in retrieving medium-length terms for the phone-based system submitted to the evaluation when the term properties produce a more difficult term.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Long-term mayors have fared well in Chicago and Boston, but New York has been different — Edward I. Koch, in particular, had a difficult third term, complicated by corruption scandals.

The New York Times

But the president has had a difficult second term governing Nigeria, with the predominantly oil-producing economy now in recession after a collapse in oil prices and severe damage to its pipelines by Delta militants.

The Guardian

Throughout his years in office, especially during a difficult second term, Brazilians tended to fault Mr. Cardoso for not doing more to reduce the country's tremendously skewed distribution of income.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a difficult term", provide context or explanation to aid understanding. Clarity enhances communication.

Common error

Avoid using overly technical language when explaining "a difficult term". Simple and direct explanations are often more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult term" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It qualifies a term as being challenging to understand or define. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult term" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase utilized to denote a word or expression that poses challenges in comprehension or definition. Analysis confirms that it is deemed "correct" and usable in various writing scenarios. Its versatility is evident across diverse domains, encompassing News & Media and Science, as showcased by Ludwig. When employing this phrase, ensure to furnish adequate context and elucidation to facilitate clarity and understanding for your intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complex term

This phrase emphasizes the intricate and multifaceted nature of the term.

a tough term

This phrase suggests that the term is challenging to deal with or define.

a tricky term

This phrase implies that the term requires careful handling due to its subtle or deceptive nature.

a challenging term

This phrase highlights the demanding nature of understanding or defining the term.

a problematic term

This phrase suggests that the term causes difficulties or raises concerns.

a serious term

This phrase conveys the significant implications of the term.

a harsh term

This phrase implies that the consequences or implications of the term are severe.

a difficult period

This expands the context from a single word/term, to a broader scope of time.

a difficult task

This phrase shifts the focus from a term to an activity that presents obstacles.

a slippery term

This phrase suggests the term is hard to pin down or interpret definitively.

FAQs

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

You can use "a difficult term" to describe something that's hard to define or understand. For example, "'Quantum entanglement' is "a difficult term" for many physicists to explain simply".

What are some alternatives to "a difficult term"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a complex term", "a challenging term", or "a tricky term".

Is it better to avoid using "a difficult term" in writing?

Not necessarily. If a specific term is the most accurate way to convey your meaning, use it, but provide sufficient context or explanation to ensure your audience understands it.

What's the difference between "a difficult term" and "a complex concept"?

"A difficult term" refers to the word or phrase itself being hard to define or understand, while "a complex concept" refers to the underlying idea being intricate and multifaceted. You could have a simple term for a complex concept, or "a difficult term" to describe a simple concept.