difficult to assess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to assess" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that something is hard to evaluate or quantify. For example, "The impact of the new policy on the economy is difficult to assess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Aldington's contribution is difficult to assess.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But such predictions are difficult to assess.

The New York Times

The quality was difficult to assess.

The New Yorker

Kublai's character is difficult to assess.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is "notoriously difficult" to assess this.

The Guardian

Ensuring quality is difficult to assess.

The Guardian

Bowling is generally more difficult to assess.

The Guardian - Sport

Back complaints are notoriously difficult to assess.

The Guardian - Money

Whether it's more is difficult to assess.

The Guardian

"How significant is difficult to assess".

The New York Times

What follows is more difficult to assess.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to assess", ensure you provide context as to why the assessment is challenging. Specify the factors contributing to the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the difficulty of assessment. Instead of stating "impossible to assess", consider "very difficult to assess" or "challenging to assess" to maintain credibility and avoid hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to assess" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that the subject is challenging to evaluate or measure. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to assess" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe the challenges in evaluating or measuring something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "hard to evaluate" or "challenging to determine" exist, understanding the subtle differences in meaning and context is key to effective communication. Remember to provide context explaining why the assessment is difficult and avoid exaggerating the difficulty. By following these guidelines, you can use "difficult to assess" with confidence and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to evaluate

Focuses on the challenge of forming a judgment or opinion.

challenging to determine

Emphasizes the complexity of the determination process.

not easy to gauge

Highlights the difficulty in measuring or estimating something.

tough to measure

Focuses specifically on the difficulty of quantifying something.

complicated to ascertain

Stresses the intricacy involved in finding something out for certain.

problematic to quantify

Highlights the issues faced when trying to express something numerically.

not straightforward to judge

Indicates that the judgment process is not simple or direct.

elusive to define

Suggests that something is hard to capture within clear boundaries.

remains uncertain

Focuses on the lack of conclusive certainty after assessment.

imprecise to estimate

Emphasizes a lack of exactness in the estimation process.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to assess" when referring to something that is not easily evaluated or measured. For example, "The long-term effects of the policy change are "difficult to assess"."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to assess"?

Some alternatives include "hard to evaluate", "challenging to determine", or "not easy to gauge" depending on the specific context.

What makes something "difficult to assess"?

Factors can include a lack of data, conflicting information, complexity of the subject matter, or subjective elements that are hard to quantify. The presence of bias can also make it "difficult to assess" the true state.

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

Both "difficult to assess" and "hard to assess" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Difficult" is slightly more formal, while "hard" is more colloquial. The best choice depends on the desired tone and context.