difficult to appraise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to appraise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is hard to evaluate or assess, such as a situation, artwork, or performance. Example: "The value of the antique vase is difficult to appraise due to its unique history and condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

And the social programmes that typify the Blair government are, by their nature, difficult to appraise.

The Guardian

With so many bodies on hand, it was also difficult to appraise the décor by the restaurant designer Dodd Mitchell.

The New York Times - Style

The success of treatment in any behavioral or personality disorder is always difficult to appraise, and this also is true of alcoholism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While $100,000 had seemed reasonable for such an unusual piece of American history before the auction, Mr. Orenstein said, he conceded that the nature of the item had made it difficult to appraise.

The New York Times - Science

It is difficult to appraise all of responses if there are many answers.

Fashion and Textiles

It is very difficult to appraise all possible combinations of the operation-machine allocations in order to accomplish the above objectives.

Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Establishing a value for Softbank is difficult since, analysts say, its complex constellation of investments is hard to appraise independently.

The New York Times

But its very topicality made it hard to appraise.

The New York Times - Arts

Majolica is hard to appraise, she said, because there are so many makers and patterns.

The New York Times

For customers unfamiliar with a new technology, it is difficult to precisely appraise preferences for new products.

Expert Systems with Applications

So it is very difficult to seriously appraise any instance of the category.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to appraise", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being appraised and why it presents a challenge. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to appraise" without specifying the criteria or methods that make the appraisal challenging. Vague statements can weaken your analysis. Instead, provide specific details to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to appraise" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that presents a challenge in evaluation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a valid and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to appraise" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes something that is challenging to evaluate or assess. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English. This analysis shows the phrase is most frequently used in science and news contexts. When using this phrase, it is crucial to specify why something is difficult to appraise to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "hard to evaluate" and "challenging to assess". Understanding the context and providing specific details will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to evaluate

Emphasizes the effort required in the evaluation process.

challenging to assess

Highlights the complexity of the assessment.

not easy to assess

Uses simpler language to convey the difficulty.

tough to gauge

Focuses on the problem of measuring or estimating something.

problematic to evaluate

Suggests that there are issues or complications in the evaluation.

complicated to judge

Indicates the intricate nature of making a judgment.

tricky to ascertain

Highlights the subtlety and potential for error in the assessment.

not straightforward to determine

Emphasizes the lack of a direct or simple method for determination.

laborious to estimate

Stresses the amount of work needed for estimation.

demanding to evaluate

Highlights the high standards required for evaluation.

FAQs

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

Use "difficult to appraise" when you want to express that something is challenging to evaluate or assess. For example, "The impact of the new policy is "difficult to appraise" due to the limited data available."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to appraise"?

You can use alternatives such as "hard to evaluate", "challenging to assess", or "not easy to assess" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes something "difficult to appraise"?

Something might be "difficult to appraise" due to a lack of clear metrics, conflicting data, subjective interpretations, or the complexity of the subject matter itself.

Is it always negative to say something is "difficult to appraise"?

Not necessarily. While it indicates a challenge, acknowledging that something is ""difficult to appraise"" can be a starting point for further investigation and analysis to better understand the subject.