are difficult to measure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are difficult to measure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, variables, or phenomena that lack clear metrics or quantifiable data. Example: "The effects of climate change on biodiversity are difficult to measure due to the complexity of ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Outcomes are difficult to measure.

Harvard Business Review

Hypothetical preferences are difficult to measure.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, both of these features are difficult to measure.

University of California, Berkeley

In any case, some overseas gains are difficult to measure.

The Economist

However, these properties are difficult to measure experimentally.

Journal of Power Sources

Finally, theory can estimate welfare impacts that are difficult to measure directly.

Yale University

Because those rebates are negotiated individually and privately, they are difficult to measure.

The New York Times

The social results of mobility, particularly of the vertical type, are difficult to measure.

Britannica

Many activities are in the public sector precisely because their intricate results are difficult to measure.

Harvard Business Review

Since these are difficult to measure, predictive models are usually used.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Concentration profiles of lithium in a cell are difficult to measure with traditional spectroscopic techniques.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "are difficult to measure", clearly state why the measurement is challenging. Providing context enhances the reader's understanding.

Common error

Don't simply say something is "difficult to measure" without explaining the specific obstacles. For example, instead of "The impact of the program is difficult to measure", say "The long-term impact of the program is difficult to measure due to the lack of longitudinal data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are difficult to measure" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. According to Ludwig, it is commonly used to characterize elements or processes that present significant challenges to quantification or assessment. It suggests that obtaining precise or reliable measurements is problematic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are difficult to measure" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the challenges in quantifying or assessing certain aspects. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans diverse fields, including science, news, and business. The phrase suggests limitations in obtaining precise measurements, often due to a lack of appropriate metrics or inherent complexities. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context and clarify the specific obstacles encountered. While various alternatives exist, such as "are challenging to quantify" or "are hard to assess", the original phrase remains a versatile and widely accepted choice. Furthermore, always strive for clarity when describing something that is "difficult to measure".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not easily quantifiable

Stresses the lack of easy or straightforward methods for quantification.

are challenging to quantify

Focuses on the quantification aspect of measurement, highlighting the challenges in assigning numerical values.

are not readily assessed

Emphasizes the lack of immediate or obvious methods for evaluation.

are hard to assess

Emphasizes the difficulty in evaluating or judging the value or quality of something.

are problematic to evaluate

Highlights that evaluation process has some issues or creates problems.

are tough to gauge

Highlights the problem in estimating or determining the extent, amount, or volume of something.

defy precise measurement

Suggests a resistance to accurate or exact measurement.

pose measurement challenges

Shifts the focus to the challenges themselves rather than the difficulty.

are immeasurable using current techniques

Points out that something cannot be measured with present methods.

are not susceptible to standard metrics

Suggests that established or conventional metrics are inappropriate for measurement.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are difficult to measure"?

You can use alternatives like "are challenging to quantify", "are hard to assess", or "are not easily quantifiable" depending on the context.

What does it mean when something "is difficult to measure"?

It means there are significant obstacles or limitations in accurately quantifying or assessing a particular aspect or phenomenon. These obstacles can range from lack of appropriate tools and metrics to inherent complexities in the subject matter.

What makes something "difficult to measure"?

Several factors can contribute, including the absence of clear metrics, the presence of confounding variables, the subjective nature of the phenomenon, or technological limitations.

How to deal with variables that "are difficult to measure" in research?

Consider using proxy measures, qualitative data, or advanced statistical techniques to account for the uncertainty. Triangulation, where multiple methods are used to assess the same construct, can also strengthen findings.