difficult documents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult documents" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe documents that are challenging to understand, interpret, or work with. Example: "The team struggled to complete the project due to the difficult documents provided by the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In Sir John Chilcot's diplomatic shorthand, they are the "difficult documents".

Independent

The later classifiers will be evaluated whether they have the ability to rightly classifying difficult documents.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They play nothing at all from this difficult document tonight.

The Guardian - Music

This is a difficult document to put out just before an election.

The Guardian

"The Koran," he said, "is a far more complex and difficult document, and there are many versions".

The New York Times

The next step in her project will be more difficult, documenting the lives of Indonesian maids in Malaysia, where abuses are some of the worst in the region and where it may be more complicated to gain access to the young women at work.

The New York Times

We called the documents which are classified incorrectly difficult document.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

It was a difficult document to draft, and many countries, both rich and poor, had objections to some of its particulars, including how the money would be managed, who would have final say on what projects would be funded, and how closely the fund would be tied to the larger U.N. climate regime.

Huffington Post

Negotiating with Goldman to void the A.I.G. insurance was especially difficult, Federal Reserve Board documents show, because the firm did not own the underlying bonds.

The New York Times

For starters, getting up-to-date financials and research reports can be difficult; financial documents are often published once a year.

Forbes

Documenting a species' contraction is more difficult than documenting its expansion — is it really gone, or did someone just miss it?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult documents" to refer to documents that require specialized knowledge or skills to interpret or analyze accurately.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult documents" as a catch-all phrase for any document you find challenging. Be specific about what makes the document difficult. Is it the complexity, sensitivity, or lack of clarity? Choosing a more precise descriptor will improve your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult documents" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "difficult" modifies the noun "documents". It serves to describe documents that present challenges in comprehension or handling, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult documents" is a grammatically sound and usable term for describing documents that are challenging to understand or work with. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While "difficult documents" effectively conveys the general sense of complexity or sensitivity, it's essential to consider more precise alternatives like "complex documents" or "sensitive documents" to provide a more nuanced description. By doing so, you can ensure your communication is both accurate and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problematic documents

Replaces "difficult" with a synonym emphasizing the trouble they cause.

challenging documents

Replaces "difficult" with a more positive framing of the obstacle.

complex documents

Focuses on the intricate nature of the documents.

complicated documents

Highlights the convoluted aspects of the documents.

convoluted documents

This phrase highlights the complexity and winding nature of the documents, implying they are hard to follow or understand.

intricate documents

Emphasizes the detailed and elaborate nature of the documents.

demanding documents

Stresses the effort required to work with the documents.

taxing documents

Similar to demanding, but with a stronger emphasis on the mental strain.

arduous documents

Focuses on the labor-intensive aspects of dealing with the documents.

sensitive documents

Highlights the confidential or delicate nature of the documents, which can make them difficult to handle.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult documents" to describe any documents that are hard to understand, interpret, or work with. For example: "The legal team spent weeks analyzing the "difficult documents" related to the case."

What's a good alternative to "difficult documents"?

Alternatives include "complex documents", "challenging documents", or "problematic documents", depending on the specific reason the documents are considered difficult.

Is it more appropriate to say "difficult documents" or "sensitive documents"?

The choice depends on the specific context. "Difficult documents" emphasizes the challenge in understanding or working with them, while "sensitive documents" highlights the need for careful handling due to their confidential or delicate nature. Use "sensitive documents" when the issue is confidentiality.

What makes a document "difficult"?

A document can be "difficult" due to various factors, such as complex language, technical jargon, sensitive information, or poor organization. The term generally refers to documents that require extra effort or specialized knowledge to understand or handle effectively.