be difficult to determine

USAGE SUMMARY

'be difficult to determine' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or concept that is hard to figure out, understand, or decide. For example: - The exact cause of his illness was difficult to determine, as several factors could have contributed to it. - The true intentions behind her actions were difficult to determine, leaving her colleagues confused and suspicious. - Choosing the best course of action for our company's future is a task that will be difficult to determine without thorough analysis and discussion.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It can be difficult to determine refugees' ages.

The New Yorker

But officials said the number would be difficult to determine.

The New York Times

Moreover, foreign business leaders point out that national origin can be difficult to determine these days.

The New York Times

Although the circumstances behind their injuries may be difficult to determine, their cost is not.

The New York Times

Additionally, it may be difficult to determine whether nonprofit agencies that run group homes are complying.

The New York Times

It can be difficult to determine which came first, the depression and anxiety or the addiction.

The New York Times

It can be difficult to determine who is ahead, or what strategy is being employed to remain there.

The New York Times - Sports

In some instances, it may be difficult to determine if a threshold measurement is an auditory or a vibrotactile perception.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With some drugs, however, it may be difficult to determine the proper dose because of individual variations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And it can be difficult to determine what the person will be like in real life.

TechCrunch

Historical degradation estimates will have larger uncertainties as it will be difficult to determine their accuracy.

Carbon Balance and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be difficult to determine", ensure that the context clearly indicates what makes the determination challenging. Providing specific reasons or factors enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be difficult to determine" when the determination is merely complex but feasible. Use more appropriate phrasing for situations where determination is possible with effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be difficult to determine" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a state of being where something is challenging to ascertain or establish. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound expression, widely employed to denote situations that present considerable obstacles in reaching a conclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be difficult to determine" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe situations where it's challenging to ascertain or establish something. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts. As evidenced by the examples, this phrase appears commonly in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources, indicating its versatility and relevance in both formal and neutral registers. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear about the factors contributing to the difficulty in determination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be hard to ascertain

Emphasizes the labor involved in finding something out.

be challenging to establish

Highlights the demanding nature of confirming something.

be problematic to identify

Focuses on the troubles associated with recognition.

be tricky to figure out

Implies a need for cleverness to understand.

be not easy to specify

Stresses the lack of simplicity in defining something.

be tough to pinpoint

Emphasizes the difficulty in locating something exactly.

be complicated to discern

Highlights the intricacy involved in perceiving something.

be uncertain to establish

Focuses on the doubtful nature of proving something.

be unclear to define

Stresses the ambiguity in setting limits or boundaries.

be tough to work out

Emphasizes the mental effort needed to solve something.

FAQs

How can I use "be difficult to determine" in a sentence?

You can use "be difficult to determine" when you want to express that something is not easy to find out or decide. For example, "The exact cause of the problem can "be difficult to determine" without further investigation".

What are some alternatives to "be difficult to determine"?

Alternatives include "be hard to ascertain", "be challenging to establish", or "be tricky to figure out", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "be difficult to determine" or "be hard to determine"?

Both "be difficult to determine" and "be hard to determine" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Difficult" often implies a more complex challenge than "hard", but the choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What makes something "be difficult to determine"?

Something might "be difficult to determine" due to a lack of information, conflicting evidence, complex factors, or inherent uncertainty in the situation.