difficult to assimilate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to assimilate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is hard to understand or integrate into one's knowledge or experience. Example: "The complex theories presented in the lecture were difficult to assimilate for many students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"It's difficult to assimilate and maintain strong ties," he said.

The New York Times

The Slits found it difficult to assimilate within a conservative, male-dominated music industry.

The Guardian - Music

As with most immigrant groups, the first generation found it difficult to assimilate into the American culture.

Yale University

Some people might find it difficult to assimilate Lesser's highly personalized readings as easily as Lesser assimilated her own texts.

The New York Times - Books

Iron is the most essential element found in the environment, but it is difficult to assimilate by microorganisms.

Wound Medicine

When playing music from the African-European tradition that emerged in the Americas, the rhythm sense is always the most difficult to assimilate, to understand and to feel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

And the Germans tried hard to assimilate.

The New York Times

The family has worked hard to assimilate, she said.

The New York Times

Surfing, perhaps one of the most difficult sports to assimilate into the Olympics, because it relies on unpredictable ocean conditions and will take place at a beach (not an artificial wave pool) during the Tokyo games.

Huffington Post

If knowledge ambiguity is high, knowledge itself is difficult to interpret, assimilate, and apply to commercial ends.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

It is difficult to fully assimilate this finding with evidence from animal models showing that extracellular, soluble forms of Aβ (particularly oligomers) can contribute directly to memory deficits that, notably, can be rapidly reversed by antibodies or other Aβ-lowering treatments [ 35].

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to assimilate" to describe challenges related to information, cultures, or even physical substances. This term is versatile and applicable across various contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to assimilate" in situations where simpler language, like "hard to understand" or "challenging", would suffice. Reserve it for scenarios where integration or incorporation is specifically being hindered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to assimilate" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, describing something that presents a challenge to incorporate or understand fully. Ludwig AI affirms this by presenting many examples where it is used to describe challenges in understanding information, cultural norms, or adapting to new environments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to assimilate" is a grammatically sound phrase, used to describe something that presents challenges in integration or comprehension. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples reveals its usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards the formal and scientific. When using the phrase, consider the underlying cause of the difficulty, such as complexity, novelty, or resistance, and ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning. Alternatives include phrases like "hard to integrate" or "challenging to understand". Finally, avoid overusing it in contexts where simpler language would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to integrate

Focuses on the challenge of combining or blending something new with existing structures or systems.

challenging to understand

Emphasizes the cognitive effort required to comprehend something.

tough to process

Highlights the difficulty in mentally handling or dealing with information or experiences.

not easily absorbed

Indicates that something resists being incorporated or internalized.

resistant to integration

Implies an active opposition or difficulty in combining elements.

unreceptive to incorporation

Suggests a lack of willingness or ability to include something new.

presents assimilation challenges

Highlights the presence of obstacles in the process of adapting or integrating.

imposes integration obstacles

Focuses on the barriers that hinder the combining or blending of elements.

creates adaptation barriers

Highlights the barriers that hinder the process of adaptation.

complicates cultural integration

Specifies the context of difficulty in integrating into a different culture.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to assimilate" to describe information, experiences, or cultural norms that are challenging to understand or integrate. For instance, "The new data was "difficult to assimilate" without further analysis."

What's the difference between "difficult to assimilate" and "difficult to understand"?

"Difficult to understand" refers to a lack of comprehension, while ""difficult to assimilate"" implies a struggle to integrate new information or experiences into one's existing knowledge or framework.

What are some alternative phrases for "difficult to assimilate"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "hard to integrate", "challenging to understand", or "tough to process".

Is it correct to say something is "impossible to assimilate"?

Yes, saying something is "impossible to assimilate" is grammatically correct, and it means that it cannot be integrated or understood at all. However, consider if ""difficult to assimilate"" is more appropriate if there's simply a high degree of challenge rather than complete impossibility.