difficult knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"difficult knowledge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to information or understanding that is hard to grasp or comprehend. Example: The concept of quantum mechanics is considered difficult knowledge for many people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

They bear the difficult knowledge that their own opportunity for success depends upon the chance of someone else's misfortune; possibly, they even wish for it.

The New Yorker

I love the poetry of her prose, the way she handles the difficult knowledge of our shared American history with elegance and the formidable power of her fierce intellect.

The New York Times - Books

The first difficult knowledge a baby acquires is the realisation that his mother and he are separate: he cannot control her by means of his own thoughts and desires; he has to cry in order to inform her that he is hungry.

The Guardian - Books

In "Proof" and in "Now Then Again" the main characters, all in their 20's, find the pursuit of difficult knowledge no less enlivening and nervous-making than things like their careers, their families, their social graces, their hormones and their heartaches.

The New York Times

Intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) are computer learning environments designed to help students master difficult knowledge and skills by implementing powerful intelligent algorithms that adapt to the learner at a fine-grained level and that instantiate complex principles of learning (Graesser et al. in press).

International Journal of STEM Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"But the situation at Canal Plus was so difficult that knowledge of the industry was not a priority".

The New York Times - Tech

What other relationships can we form with this difficult new knowledge around environmental change that might be more energising and effective?

The Guardian

As well as the scientific data, I want to know what it means for people to live with difficult, uncertain knowledge and disruptive technologies.

The Guardian

If we make qualifying for it more difficult, and knowledge about it harder to come by, it will fundamentally limit access to food for millions of Americans.

Columbia University

Delirium occurs frequently among elderly patients in the Emergency Department (ED), and accurate assessment is difficult without knowledge of the patient's usual cognitive functioning.

International Emergency Nursing

Consequently, the identification of histotype-specific parameters that may influence and/or predict clinical behaviour remains difficult, limiting knowledge about possible prognostic parameters for many of the rarer sarcomas.

Current Diagnostic Pathology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult knowledge", consider specifying the context or field to which the knowledge pertains to enhance clarity. For example, "difficult knowledge in quantum physics".

Common error

Avoid using "difficult knowledge" as a vague descriptor. Instead, identify the specific challenges or complexities associated with the knowledge to provide more meaningful information to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult knowledge" functions as a noun phrase where "difficult" modifies the noun "knowledge". It serves to characterize the type of knowledge being discussed, indicating that it is not easily understood or acquired. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase describes concepts or information that require significant effort to comprehend.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult knowledge" refers to information that is hard to grasp, often requiring significant effort and expertise. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and is used across various fields including science, news, and academia. While considered rare in frequency, its usage is appropriate in contexts where complex or challenging concepts are discussed. To enhance clarity, consider specifying the field to which the knowledge pertains. For alternatives, phrases like "challenging information" or "complex understanding" can be used depending on the desired nuance. While "difficult knowledge" may not be frequently encountered, its precise meaning and appropriate context make it a valuable addition to one's lexicon when describing complex ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging information

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", highlighting the demanding nature of the information.

complex understanding

Focuses on the intricate nature of the understanding required.

arduous learning

Emphasizes the effort involved in acquiring the knowledge.

intricate wisdom

Highlights the depth and complexity of the knowledge.

hard-won insight

Emphasizes the effort required to achieve this insight.

demanding subject matter

Focuses on the difficulty of the subject being studied.

abstruse concepts

Focuses on the obscurity and difficulty of the concepts.

recondite information

Highlights the obscure and specialized nature of the information.

inaccessible knowledge

Focuses on the limited availability or understandability of the knowledge.

esoteric understanding

Emphasizes the specialized nature and limited accessibility of the understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult knowledge" to describe subjects or concepts that are hard to understand. For example: "Mastering quantum mechanics requires grappling with some very difficult knowledge."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "difficult knowledge"?

Some alternatives include "challenging information", "complex understanding", or "arduous learning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "difficult knowledge" a formal or informal phrase?

The phrase "difficult knowledge" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in academic or professional settings where complex subjects are discussed.

What makes knowledge "difficult"?

Knowledge can be "difficult" due to its complexity, abstractness, or the need for extensive background information to understand it. The phrase often implies that significant effort is required to acquire and comprehend the knowledge.