a difficult thing to say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult thing to say" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is hard to express or articulate, often due to its sensitive or complex nature. Example: "I have to admit, it's a difficult thing to say, but I think we need to reconsider our approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That's a difficult thing to say.

The New Yorker

In Saigon a day after the conflagration, McCain praised the heroism of enlisted men who gave their lives trying to save the pilots on deck, and told New York Times reporter R. W. Apple, Jr., "It's a difficult thing to say.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But how it will develop is a very difficult thing to say".

The New York Times - Science

Muir said London had never been so tough for artists with difficult things to say: "A commercial gallery understandably has an agenda and promotes its interests.

The Guardian

"This is a difficult thing to digest," said Sharan Lillaney, an analyst at Angel Broking.

The New York Times

"It's just a myth that recycling is a difficult thing to do," said Williams.

The Guardian

"It was a difficult thing to endure," said Wilshaw, who underwent major heart surgery in 2015.

The Guardian

"Part of the problem is that sustainability is a difficult thing to measure," said Brian Mullis, president of Sustainable Travel International, which is working with Leading Hotels of the World to draft eco-certification guidelines for that organization's 440 member hotels.

The New York Times

And it's a difficult thing to study, said Durso, both because providers may not want to admit refusal of care or mistreatment of patients and because they themselves may sometimes fail to recognize it.

Vice

"That call to action to consumers who don't necessarily read your disclosures is a difficult thing to implement," he said.

The New York Times

"It's a difficult thing to assess," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using this phrase, as it implies a degree of vulnerability or discomfort on the speaker's part.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult thing to say" as a conversational filler. Ensure it genuinely reflects the challenge in expressing a particular thought or feeling to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult thing to say" functions as an introductory remark, setting the stage for a potentially sensitive or challenging statement. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it's used to preface admissions, criticisms, or sensitive information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult thing to say" is a grammatically sound phrase used to preface potentially sensitive or challenging statements. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It signals to the listener that the speaker is aware of the delicacy of the subject matter. While not overly formal, it's best used when genuine difficulty in expressing something exists, rather than as a mere filler. Alternatives such as "a challenging statement to make" or "hard to articulate" can provide nuanced variations, as shown in the examples. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves as a useful tool for conveying sensitivity and awareness in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging statement to make

Emphasizes the difficulty in making a particular statement.

a tough thing to express

Highlights the toughness associated with articulating something.

hard to articulate

Focuses on the struggle to clearly express oneself.

delicate matter to discuss

Indicates the sensitivity and potential risk involved in the discussion.

sensitive subject to broach

Suggests that the topic needs careful and tactful handling.

an uncomfortable truth to admit

Highlights the discomfort associated with acknowledging a particular truth.

a loaded statement to utter

Indicates the statement is fraught with implications or emotions.

an awkward confession to make

Emphasizes the social discomfort in making a confession.

a painful admission to offer

Suggests that the admission causes emotional pain.

challenging to put into words

Focuses on the general problem of formulation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a difficult thing to say" in a sentence?

You can use "a difficult thing to say" to introduce a statement that might be sensitive or challenging to express. For example, "It's "a difficult thing to say", but I think we need to reconsider our strategy."

What can I say instead of "a difficult thing to say"?

Alternatives include "a challenging statement to make", "a tough thing to express", or "hard to articulate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a difficult thing to say" is grammatically correct and follows standard English sentence structure. It's a common and accepted phrase.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a difficult thing to say"?

It's appropriate when introducing a topic or viewpoint that might be sensitive, uncomfortable, or challenging to articulate clearly. It signals to the listener that the speaker is aware of the potential difficulty in expressing the thought.