difficult to accept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to accept" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation, fact, or outcome that is hard for someone to come to terms with or acknowledge. Example: "The news of her departure was difficult to accept for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's difficult to accept defeat.

The New York Times

It is really difficult to accept.

The Guardian - Sport

"Some things I found difficult to accept.

The New Yorker

"They found it difficult to accept this".

The New York Times

"This would be very difficult to accept".

The New York Times

"People find it difficult to accept.

The New York Times - Science

"It was difficult to accept here.

The Guardian

"I find that very difficult to accept.

The Guardian

"I found it all difficult to accept," he said.

The New York Times

So for the wife, this was really difficult to accept.

The New York Times

"It's difficult to accept those patients and stay in business".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to accept", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Hard to swallow" might emphasize unpleasantness, while "challenging to acknowledge" highlights cognitive difficulty. Choose the phrase that best reflects the reason for the difficulty.

Common error

While "difficult to accept" can be used passively (e.g., "The decision was difficult to accept"), consider rephrasing to emphasize who finds it difficult. For instance, instead of saying "The results were difficult to accept", you could say "The team found the results difficult to accept". This adds clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to accept" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the quality of something being challenging or problematic to acknowledge, believe, or come to terms with. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a perfectly usable expression in writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to accept" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying the challenge of acknowledging or coming to terms with something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid expression. It appears most often in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts, with a neutral register. While perfectly acceptable, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and explore alternatives such as "hard to swallow" or "challenging to acknowledge" for greater precision. Be mindful of overuse of the passive voice to ensure clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to swallow

Emphasizes the unpleasantness and unpalatability of the information or situation.

challenging to acknowledge

Focuses on the cognitive difficulty in admitting or recognizing something.

tough to come to terms with

Highlights the emotional process of adjusting to and accepting a difficult reality.

unpalatable to consider

Implies that the idea or situation is unpleasant and distasteful to think about.

not easy to reconcile

Suggests a conflict or inconsistency that makes acceptance difficult.

demanding to believe

Stresses the effort required to accept something that seems improbable or untrue.

strenuous to embrace

Emphasizes the effort and resistance involved in accepting or adopting something.

awkward to countenance

Highlights the social discomfort or impropriety associated with accepting something.

a bitter pill to take

Uses a metaphor to convey the unpleasantness and difficulty of accepting something.

grating on one's nerves

Highlights the annoying and irritating sensation that one get from the fact that acceptance is difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to accept" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to accept" to describe something that is hard to believe, understand, or come to terms with. For example, "It was "hard to swallow", but I knew the truth was difficult to accept".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to accept"?

Alternatives include "hard to swallow", "challenging to acknowledge", or "tough to come to terms with". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "difficult to accept" or "hard to accept"?

Both "difficult to accept" and "hard to accept" are grammatically correct and widely used. "Difficult" may sound slightly more formal, while "hard" is more common in everyday conversation. The choice depends on your preferred style and the context.

What makes something "difficult to accept"?

Something might be "difficult to accept" because it contradicts your beliefs, challenges your values, or has negative consequences. It often involves an emotional or cognitive struggle to come to terms with a new or unpleasant reality.