difficult to acknowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to acknowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is hard to accept or recognize, often in emotional or challenging contexts. Example: "It is often difficult to acknowledge our own mistakes, but doing so is essential for personal growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Therefore it is difficult to acknowledge the seismicity nature of the detected anomalies on earthquake day.

Advances in Space Research

I found it difficult to acknowledge the inherent racism that surrounded that.

The Guardian

They seem to be an ever present but difficult to acknowledge measuring device used by all on a daily basis.

University of California, Berkeley

Many Russians find it difficult to acknowledge that their country can no longer take care of all its children.

The New York Times

Importantly, these moral biases are often unconscious so are difficult to acknowledge in the light of contradictory evidence or opinion.

The Guardian

After so many years of supporting Hosni Mubarak, it was difficult to acknowledge him for the corrupt dictator he always was.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Box 2 Why is discrimination so hard to acknowledge Difficult to recognise, since it is subtle, informal and generally embodied in well-established cultural, organisational and behavioural patterns.

BMJ Open

These things may be difficult to recognize or acknowledge on your own.

TechCrunch

What's more difficult is to acknowledge that love today might not even follow the same format as real-life relationships of the past.

The New York Times

Because of my love for the sport, the contributions I feel I have made to it, and the amount the sport of cycling has given to me over the years, it is extremely difficult today to acknowledge that during a part of my career I used banned substances.

The New York Times - Sports

Our phylogenetic analysis shows that Nyv1 sequences are remarkably derived in Saccharomycetales, bringing to light why it has been difficult before to acknowledge Nyv1 as a bona fide endosomal R-SNARE.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to acknowledge", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the difficulty – is it emotional discomfort, cognitive complexity, or social pressure? Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to acknowledge" in overly passive constructions that obscure the subject. Instead of "The problem was difficult to acknowledge", try "We found it difficult to acknowledge the problem" to make the subject explicit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to acknowledge" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying an implied or stated subject. It describes a state or condition related to the act of acknowledging something. As Ludwig AI explains, it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to acknowledge" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively communicates the challenge of accepting or recognizing something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While alternatives like ""hard to accept"" or ""challenging to recognize"" exist, "difficult to acknowledge" adds a specific layer of complexity. When using this phrase, clarity and context are key to ensure the intended meaning is effectively conveyed. Remembering to avoid overusing passive voice will further enhance its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to accept

Focuses more on the emotional challenge of accepting something.

challenging to recognize

Emphasizes the cognitive difficulty in identifying or perceiving something.

tough to admit

Highlights the reluctance to confess or concede something, often due to pride or shame.

not easy to concede

Similar to 'tough to admit' but with a slightly more formal tone.

unwilling to recognize

Implies a deliberate refusal to acknowledge something, often due to bias or prejudice.

resistant to accepting

Suggests an active opposition to the idea of accepting something.

find it hard to swallow

An idiomatic expression implying something is unpleasant or disagreeable to accept.

struggle to understand

Focuses on the intellectual difficulty in comprehending something.

hesitant to validate

Indicates a reluctance to confirm or support something.

reluctant to face

Emphasizes the avoidance of confronting something, often due to fear or discomfort.

FAQs

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

The phrase "difficult to acknowledge" is typically used to describe situations where accepting or recognizing something is challenging. For example, "It is often difficult to acknowledge our own mistakes" or "The impact of climate change is becoming increasingly difficult to acknowledge".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to acknowledge"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "hard to accept", "challenging to recognize", or "tough to admit".

Is there a difference between "difficult to acknowledge" and "hard to acknowledge"?

While "difficult" and "hard" are often used interchangeably, "difficult to acknowledge" may imply a more complex or nuanced challenge, whereas "hard to acknowledge" suggests a more straightforward level of effort. The choice often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "difficult to acknowledge" in writing?

Use "difficult to acknowledge" when you want to convey that something is not easily accepted or recognized, often due to emotional, cognitive, or social reasons. Ensure the context provides enough information about why the acknowledgment is challenging.