difficult concept to grasp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult concept to grasp" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing ideas or topics that are challenging for people to understand or comprehend. Example: "The theory of relativity is often considered a difficult concept to grasp for those not well-versed in physics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It's a difficult concept to grasp.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not a difficult concept to grasp.

The New York Times

Again, initially I found this a difficult concept to grasp.

The Guardian - Books

For some, that is a difficult concept to grasp.

The New York Times

The hollow bent shape of the fortune cookie seems to be a difficult concept to grasp.

The New York Times - Food

"People are drinking craft beers at home with food, but it's been a difficult concept to grasp in restaurants".

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

One of the most difficult concepts to grasp is the relative scale and density of organisms that are too small to see with the unaided eye.

CBE Life Sciences Education

It's not too difficult a concept to grasp, and I'm not sure why they need such a confusing title.

The Guardian

Why should this be so difficult a concept to grasp?

Huffington Post

This is an easy enough concept to grasp, but it is a little more difficult to put into action sometimes.

Stanford University

"Love" Was up for a season, followed by "Illness," Concepts difficult to grasp.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When explaining a "difficult concept to grasp", break it down into smaller, more manageable parts. Use real-world examples and analogies to make the abstract more concrete.

Common error

Avoid using jargon or overly technical language when introducing a "difficult concept to grasp". Start with simpler terms and gradually introduce complexity as understanding grows.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult concept to grasp" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing a concept that presents challenges in understanding. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult concept to grasp" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe ideas that require effort to understand. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is usable in written English, and can be replaced by other terms like "challenging idea to understand" or "complex notion to comprehend", depending on the context. While versatile, it is important to provide clear and simple explanations when using this phrase, breaking down the concept to avoid overcomplicating the matter for the audience. Its frequency is labeled as 'Uncommon', but can be found among various contexts, especially in News & Media, Science and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging idea to understand

Changes the noun from 'concept' to 'idea' and uses 'to understand' instead of 'to grasp'.

complex notion to comprehend

Replaces 'difficult' with 'complex', 'concept' with 'notion', and 'grasp' with 'comprehend'.

hard idea to fathom

Substitutes 'difficult' with 'hard' and 'grasp' with 'fathom'.

tough concept to wrap one's head around

Uses a more informal and idiomatic expression to convey difficulty in understanding.

abstract idea to internalize

Focuses on the abstract nature of the idea and the process of making it a part of one's understanding.

obscure concept to penetrate

Highlights the obscurity of the concept and the effort needed to understand it.

subtle concept to appreciate

Emphasizes the subtlety of the concept, requiring careful consideration for full understanding.

elusive idea to capture

Focuses on the elusive nature of the idea and the difficulty in fully grasping it.

intricate concept to unravel

Highlights the intricacy of the concept and the need to disentangle its complexities.

enigmatic idea to decode

Presents the idea as an enigma that needs to be deciphered.

FAQs

How can I make a "difficult concept to grasp" easier to understand?

Use relatable examples, analogies, and visual aids. Break down the concept into smaller, more manageable pieces. Encourage questions and provide clear, concise explanations. Consider starting with what the audience already knows and build from there.

What are some alternatives to saying "difficult concept to grasp"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging idea to understand", "complex notion to comprehend", or "hard idea to fathom" depending on the context.

Is it better to avoid using the phrase "difficult concept to grasp" in formal writing?

Not necessarily. While it's acceptable, consider alternatives that might offer more precision or sophistication depending on your audience and the specific concept. For instance, using "complex" or "intricate" might be more suitable in some contexts.

Why is the "difficult concept to grasp"?

Some concepts can be "difficult concept to grasp" because they are abstract, counterintuitive, or require a foundation of knowledge that the audience may not possess. Effective communication involves recognizing and addressing these challenges.