difficult sensation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult sensation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an experience or feeling that is challenging or uncomfortable to endure. Example: "After the accident, I was left with a difficult sensation in my chest that made it hard to breathe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Taste is hard to quantify, and delight is a difficult sensation to wrest from a consumer particularly a consumer who's owned six different versions of the iPhone.

The New Yorker

Taste is hard to quantify, and delight is a difficult sensation to wrest from a consumer — particularly a consumer who's owned six different versions of the iPhone.

The New Yorker

It's a difficult sensation for us because when you come here to play a strong side and one moment like that starts to make the game easy for our opponent.

The Guardian - Sport

That, coupled with the fact that it's a difficult sensation to explain to someone who doesn't experience it, may go some way to explaining why there wasn't even a term to describe it until 2010.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is estimated that more than 50percentt of the population over age 65 has experienced some loss of smell, so getting proper nutrition can be difficult because the sensation of flavor is closely tied to the sense of smell and as flavor diminishes, appetite decreases in this population.

Harvard University

No clinical sensory assessment is done because it is difficult to test sensation in these young children.

BioMed Research International

Mindfulness is the first step—turning with loving awareness toward difficult experience (emotions, sensations, thoughts).

University of California, Berkeley

There are also general prescriptions for functional schemas that facilitate discussions for the presence of consciousness in computational systems and axiomatic structures that define necessary architectural features without which it would be difficult to represent sensations.

Progress in Brain Research

'Difficult handling bodily sensations and feelings', 'Fear of anxiety' and 'Phobias' were typical hindering factors for those not in remission.

BMC Psychiatry

"It's very difficult to explain the sensation in Monaco, but it is like magic," said Pastor Maldonado, a rookie driver at the Williams team, who won the race three times in lower racing categories.

The New York Times - Sports

It's difficult to describe this sensation in positive terms.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "difficult sensation", be specific about its nature (e.g., burning, throbbing, tingling) to provide a clearer understanding to your audience.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is a "difficult sensation" without providing context or descriptive details. This can leave your audience without a clear understanding of what you're trying to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult sensation" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective 'difficult' modifies the noun 'sensation'. It describes a feeling or experience that is challenging or uncomfortable. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult sensation" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe an uncomfortable or challenging feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. While its occurrence is relatively rare, its purpose is to effectively communicate a challenging experience, whether physical or emotional. The phrase is generally neutral in register and finds its primary usage in News & Media, Science, and Academia, with a diverse array of authoritative sources employing it. When using this phrase, specificity and context are key to ensuring clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncomfortable sensation

Emphasizes the lack of ease or comfort associated with the sensation.

unpleasant feeling

Replaces "difficult" with "unpleasant", focusing on the disagreeable nature of the sensation.

challenging feeling

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging", highlighting the demanding aspect of the sensation.

distressing feeling

Highlights the emotional impact, suggesting the sensation causes worry or anxiety.

painful sensation

Highlights the physically or emotionally painful aspect of the sensation.

troublesome feeling

Focuses on the inconvenience or bother caused by the sensation.

trying sensation

Indicates that the sensation tests one's endurance or patience.

taxing feeling

Suggests the sensation is physically or mentally demanding.

daunting sensation

Emphasizes the intimidating or overwhelming nature of the sensation.

awkward feeling

Focuses on the uneasiness or discomfort the sensation creates.

FAQs

How can I describe a "difficult sensation" more effectively?

Use descriptive language to specify the nature of the sensation. Is it a burning sensation, a throbbing pain, or a feeling of unease? Providing details helps your audience understand the experience better.

What are some alternative ways to phrase "difficult sensation"?

You can use alternatives such as "unpleasant feeling", "challenging feeling", or "uncomfortable sensation" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "difficult sensation" in formal writing?

Yes, "difficult sensation" is appropriate for formal writing, but ensure that the context is clear and the description is specific to avoid ambiguity. Stronger or more precise vocabulary can be used instead if needed.

How does "difficult sensation" differ from "painful sensation"?

"Difficult sensation" is broader and can encompass discomfort that isn't necessarily painful. "Painful sensation", on the other hand, specifically refers to sensations that cause physical or emotional pain. The "painful sensation" is a subset of the "difficult sensation". It is crucial to select the best option based on your needs.