difficult realization

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult realization" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or painful understanding or acknowledgment of a situation or truth. Example: "Coming to the difficult realization that I needed to change careers was not easy for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Love is the extremely difficult realization that something other than oneself is real".

The New York Times - Arts

Factors influencing socio-political and community acceptance are increasingly recognized as being important for understanding the apparent contradictions between general public support for renewable energy innovation and the difficult realization of specific projects.

Energy Policy

It was a difficult realization that I'm not doing too shabby.

Huffington Post

During my darkest hour, I came to a difficult realization: I needed external validation because I didn't have enough internal fortitude.

Huffington Post

Being told by my teacher I had to sit in the front row to see was a difficult realization to accept.

Huffington Post

While Amazon's "Transparent" explored facing such a difficult realization and braving a change from the perspective of the person experiencing it, this show doesn't quite give the guys equal time, due as much to marketing, one suspects, as servicing the plot.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Later, in the finale, after some difficult realizations, Maura finds herself questioned by her daughter Ali, who asks if she has stopped transitioning.

Vice

One of the difficult realizations I made was that most of the lesbian community was as clueless as my straight friends regarding how or why a person would realize her sexuality later in life.

Huffington Post

However, there is no report about the continuous experiments to evaluate this process which is more difficult to realization.

Chemical Engineering Science

Often it's just the beginning of a long journey full of difficult self-realizations and punishing emotional growth.

Huffington Post

But what made this meeting especially difficult was the realization that no one was coming to help.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult realization", consider the emotional impact on the subject. Choose language that acknowledges the struggle without being overly dramatic.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "difficult realization" in situations that are only mildly inconvenient. The phrase implies a significant and often painful understanding, so reserve it for truly impactful recognitions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult realization" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" modifies the noun "realization". It describes a specific type of understanding or awareness that is challenging or painful. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable presence in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult realization" describes the challenging or painful understanding of something. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. It appears most frequently in news and media and scientific contexts. While not extremely common, it's a readily understood phrase. Alternatives include "painful understanding", "challenging insight", and "harsh awakening". When using the phrase, consider its significant emotional weight and avoid overusing it in casual or trivial situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

painful understanding

Replaces "realization" with a synonym that emphasizes the emotional discomfort associated with the understanding.

challenging insight

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "realization" with "insight", highlighting the effort required to gain understanding.

harsh awakening

Emphasizes the sudden and potentially unpleasant nature of the realization.

sobering acknowledgment

Replaces "difficult realization" with a phrase that suggests a serious and perhaps unwelcome recognition of a truth.

uncomfortable truth

Focuses on the unpleasantness of the truth that is being realized.

tough lesson learned

Highlights the educational aspect of the realization, implying that it was gained through experience.

grim awareness

Conveys a sense of foreboding or negativity associated with the realization.

bitter pill to swallow

An idiomatic expression indicating that the realization is unpleasant but must be accepted.

disheartening discovery

Emphasizes the negative emotional impact of the realization.

rude awakening

Similar to "harsh awakening" but potentially more abrupt and unexpected.

FAQs

What does "difficult realization" mean?

A "difficult realization" is the understanding or acknowledgement of something that is challenging or unpleasant to accept. It often involves a shift in perspective or a confrontation with a harsh truth.

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

You can use "difficult realization" to describe a moment of understanding that is hard to come to terms with. For example: "Coming to the "difficult realization" that I needed to change careers was not easy."

What are some alternatives to "difficult realization"?

You can use alternatives like "painful understanding", "challenging insight", or "harsh awakening" depending on the context.

Is "difficult realization" a common phrase?

While not extremely common, "difficult realization" is a readily understood phrase found in various types of writing, including news, scientific articles, and personal essays. It is suitable for formal and informal contexts, but should be used when referring to a significant understanding.