difficult to assume

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to assume" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or condition that is hard to take for granted or accept as true. Example: "Given the lack of evidence, it is difficult to assume that the theory is valid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Seeing your enemy, though, might make it more difficult to assume your victory.

The Guardian - Books

Needless to say, a long-term perspective is difficult to assume when the word "crisis" appears daily in the financial media.

The New York Times

In her last years, I found it difficult to assume a pose of critical distance, even though I never got closer to her than Row H.

The Guardian - Music

It's not difficult to assume there was rejoicing among the rulers in Saudi Arabia when Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered.

The Washington Post

While it's difficult to assume any tidy correlation between the perspectives of a writer and his or her characters, in this case it is especially strained.

The New York Times - Books

That, contemporary sources avow, was a burden difficult to assume, in view of the shortage of agricultural workers after the plague.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Given all the news coverage about Greece and the financial crisis last year it was difficult not to assume that those least able to care for themselves would be most affected.

The Guardian

So, by analogy, it is not difficult for them to assume that the cosmic order was constructed for a purpose, reflecting its maker's will.

The New York Times - Magazine

I have no idea what the staffers did with the information, but it is difficult for me to assume that the leak did not somehow originate from the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Huffington Post

They were also excluded if they had contractures of more than 20° at the hip or knee as this would make it difficult for participants to assume the different positions for testing.

BMC Pediatrics

This is of great concern to many college students and their parents: In tough economic times, it is difficult to justify assuming large debts for college when the future payoff is uncertain.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to assume", ensure that the context clearly indicates what makes the assumption problematic. Provide supporting details to enhance clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to assume" when the situation is simply uncertain or speculative, rather than genuinely challenging to presume. Using it in weaker contexts diminishes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to assume" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used to express a challenge or obstacle in making a presumption. Ludwig shows its common use in expressing uncertainty or skepticism regarding a particular idea or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to assume" is a versatile expression used to convey skepticism or uncertainty about an assumption. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in both news and scientific contexts, making it a valuable tool for precise and cautious communication. While alternatives like "hard to presume" or "challenging to infer" can offer slightly different nuances, the core meaning remains consistent. It is essential to provide clear context when using this phrase and avoid overstating the difficulty to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to presume

Replaces "assume" with "presume", suggesting a slightly more formal or tentative assumption.

challenging to infer

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "assume" with "infer", indicating a reasoning process that's not straightforward.

not easy to surmise

Uses "not easy" instead of "difficult" and "surmise" in place of "assume", conveying a sense of conjecture with some difficulty.

unlikely to postulate

Replaces "assume" with "postulate", suggesting a hypothesis that's improbable.

implausible to take for granted

Emphasizes the lack of plausibility in accepting something without question.

questionable to presuppose

Highlights the doubtfulness in making a prior assumption.

risky to conclude

Suggests that drawing a conclusion would be hazardous or premature.

dubious to posit

Indicates uncertainty or doubt about putting forward an idea or theory.

problematic to consider

Highlights issues or challenges in taking something into account.

tenuous to hypothesize

Suggests the hypothesis is weakly supported and potentially unreliable.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "difficult to assume" in a sentence?

Consider using alternatives such as "hard to presume", "challenging to infer", or "not easy to surmise" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "difficult to assume"?

Use "difficult to assume" when something cannot be readily taken for granted due to a lack of evidence, conflicting information, or inherent improbability. It's suitable for academic writing, formal reports, and analytical discussions.

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

The phrases "difficult to assume" and "hard to assume" are largely interchangeable. "Difficult" is generally considered more formal than "hard", but both convey the same core meaning.

What kind of writing typically uses the phrase "difficult to assume"?

You'll often find "difficult to assume" in analytical writing across various fields, including science, news reporting, and academic research, where precise and cautious language is essential to convey uncertainty or skepticism.