difficult read

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult read" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a text or material that is challenging to understand or requires significant effort to comprehend. Example: "The academic paper was a difficult read, filled with complex terminology and dense arguments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

That was quite a difficult read.

The Guardian - Sport

This book is a difficult read, jumbled and confused.

The Economist

A difficult read, but worth it".The Free-Market Innovation Machine", by William Baumol.

The Economist

Its graphic description of an abortion, and its horrific, sadomasochistic resolution, made it a difficult read.

The New York Times - Books

This makes for a difficult read, though it facilitates quick dipping and fact checking.

The Economist

At more than 1,000 pages – with copious footnotes – Infinite Jest is a famously difficult read.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

It's difficult reading.

The New York Times

"Hitler's Furies" is often difficult reading.

The New York Times - Books

The descriptions make for exceptionally difficult reading.

The New York Times

Describes how difficult reading and communication became for her.

The New Yorker

Because of its extravagant allegorical form, however, Simocattes' writing makes for difficult reading.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "difficult read", be specific about what makes it challenging. Is it the complex terminology, the dense arguments, the convoluted narrative, or the sheer length?

Common error

Instead of simply stating that something is a "difficult read", provide context or examples to illustrate the specific challenges it presents. This helps readers understand the nature and extent of the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult read" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "difficult" modifies the noun "read". As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase indicates a text that requires considerable effort to understand.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Books

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult read" is a common and correct way to describe a text that requires significant effort to understand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound phrase used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and literature. While its meaning is clear, it's often helpful to specify why a text is a "difficult read", citing complex language, dense arguments, or convoluted narratives. Alternatives like "challenging reading" or "arduous read" can add nuance, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging reading

Focuses on the demanding nature of the reading experience.

arduous read

Emphasizes the effort and labor involved in reading the material.

taxing read

Highlights the mental burden and strain caused by the reading.

heavy reading

Suggests the material is dense and requires significant concentration.

complex text

Focuses on the intricate and multi-layered nature of the written work.

demanding material

Highlights the high level of engagement required.

convoluted narrative

Emphasizes the tangled or complicated structure of the story.

impenetrable prose

Suggests the writing style is obscure and hard to understand.

dense and intricate

Focuses on the density and complexity of the information presented.

obscure writing

Highlights the lack of clarity and accessibility in the writing style.

FAQs

What does "difficult read" mean?

A "difficult read" refers to a book, article, or other written material that is challenging to understand or requires significant effort to comprehend.

What are some synonyms for "difficult read"?

Alternatives include "challenging reading", "arduous read", or "taxing read", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I describe why something is a "difficult read"?

You can specify the reasons, such as complex language, dense arguments, unfamiliar concepts, or a convoluted narrative structure.

Is it okay to use "difficult read" to describe academic papers?

Yes, "difficult read" is commonly used to describe academic papers, especially when they contain complex terminology or present dense arguments.