difficult to believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to believe" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express doubt or skepticism about something. For example, "The story she told was difficult to believe, but after seeing the evidence, I had no choice but to accept it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is difficult to believe him.

The New Yorker

That is difficult to believe.

The New York Times - Sports

"I find that difficult to believe".

The New York Times

"It is difficult to believe," said Alonso.

The Guardian - Sport

It was just very difficult to believe.

The Guardian - Books

_ Q: I find this difficult to believe.

The New Yorker

It is difficult to believe this.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is something extraordinary, and difficult to believe until seen.

Columbia University

It is difficult to believe that I taught anyone anything.

The Economist

"Only natural!" Frankly, this was difficult to believe.

The New York Times - Magazine

It makes it difficult to believe in the ultimate result".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to believe", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the disbelief. Providing specific reasons enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "difficult to believe" without explaining why. Add details or evidence to support your skepticism and make your statement more convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to believe" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an infinitive. It expresses a subjective assessment of the credibility or plausibility of a situation, statement, or idea. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to believe" is a common and grammatically sound way to express skepticism or disbelief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase modifying an infinitive and serves to communicate doubt about the credibility of something. While alternatives like "hard to accept" or "unlikely to be true" can be used, "difficult to believe" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse situations. To enhance clarity, always provide context when expressing that something is "difficult to believe", explaining the reasons behind your skepticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to accept

Focuses more on the emotional challenge of accepting something as true, shifting the emphasis from intellectual disbelief.

beggars belief

Indicates that something is so extraordinary or shocking that it is almost impossible to believe.

defies belief

Similar to "beggars belief", but emphasizes the resistance of something to being believed.

unlikely to be true

Emphasizes the improbability of something being factual, using a more direct assessment of truth.

I find that hard to swallow

Implies difficulty in accepting something, often because it is unpleasant or unwelcome news.

implausible

Offers a concise adjective to describe something that lacks credibility or is far-fetched.

I'm skeptical about that

Expresses doubt and questioning towards a claim or statement.

I have my doubts

Expresses a general feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.

strains credulity

Highlights the extent to which something challenges one's willingness to believe.

that's a tall tale

Suggests that a story is exaggerated or fabricated.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to believe" to express skepticism or doubt about a statement or situation. For example, "It's "difficult to believe" that he won the lottery twice."

What's a more formal way to say "difficult to believe"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "hard to accept", "unlikely to be true", or "implausible" for a more professional tone. These alternatives /s/unlikely+to+be+true convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

Is "hard to believe" the same as "difficult to believe"?

Yes, "hard to believe" and "difficult to believe" are often used interchangeably. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

Which is correct: "It is difficult to believe" or "It's difficult to believe"?

Both "It is difficult to believe" and "It's difficult to believe" are grammatically correct. "It's" is simply a contraction of "it is", making it slightly more informal. "It is difficult to believe" is the most formal version.