difficult to calculate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to calculate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation, problem, or value that is challenging to determine or compute. Example: "The total cost of the project is difficult to calculate due to the fluctuating prices of materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These liabilities are difficult to calculate.

The Economist

Is inflation really that difficult to calculate?

The Guardian - Business

Changes in dropout rates attract little notice, partly because they are difficult to calculate.

The New York Times

That makes it difficult to calculate the underlying numbers, analysts said.

The New York Times

In this case, other considerations, like public image, make it more difficult to calculate.

The New York Times - Sports

High altitudes make it difficult to calculate a plane's position using visual landmarks on the ground.

The New York Times

It is difficult to calculate the exact number of young homeless people in the UK.

The Guardian

(These gifts have also made it difficult to calculate the cost of the project).

The New York Times - Arts

The value of such indirect support to either company is difficult to calculate.

The New York Times

Although difficult to calculate, Win Expectancy is perhaps the most intuitive statistic ever developed.

The New York Times - Sports

This shared cultural cloud will come at a price that is difficult to calculate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to calculate", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the calculation challenging (e.g., insufficient data, complex variables).

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to calculate" when a more precise term like "unknown" or "unquantifiable" is more appropriate. Using the correct word provides better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to calculate" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing something that poses a challenge in terms of computation or determination. Ludwig's examples show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to calculate" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is challenging to compute or determine precisely. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the reasons behind the difficulty in calculation, whether due to complexity, limited data, or other factors. While "difficult to calculate" is a versatile phrase, alternative expressions such as "hard to determine" or "challenging to compute" may offer greater precision in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging to compute

Emphasizes the complexity involved in the process of computation.

hard to determine

Focuses on the challenge of arriving at a conclusive determination rather than specifically calculating.

tricky to estimate

Highlights the element of uncertainty and approximation involved in the estimation process.

not easy to quantify

Specifically addresses the difficulty in assigning a numerical value.

complex to assess

Shifts the focus from calculation to a more general evaluation or judgment.

laborious to compute

Focuses on the effort and time required for the computation.

cumbersome to work out

Highlights the unwieldy and awkward nature of the calculation process.

involves intricate calculation

Emphasizes the complicated nature of the underlying calculation.

demands careful calculation

Stresses the need for precision and attention to detail in the calculation.

presents computational difficulties

Focuses on the computational hurdles faced during the determination process.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to calculate" to describe something that is not easily determined or computed due to complexity or lack of information. For example, "The long-term effects of the policy are "difficult to calculate"".

What's a formal alternative to "difficult to calculate"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "challenging to compute", "complex to assess", or "hard to determine".

What makes something "difficult to calculate" as opposed to simply "unknown"?

Something "difficult to calculate" implies that there is a potential method of computation, but it's hindered by complexity, lack of data, or other obstacles. "Unknown" suggests that there is no viable way to determine the value at present.

Is "difficult to calculate" always the best choice, or are there situations where other phrases are more accurate?

While useful, "difficult to calculate" might not always be precise. Depending on the context, alternatives like "tricky to estimate" (if approximation is involved), "not easy to quantify" (if assigning a numerical value is the issue), or "cumbersome to work out" (if the process is unwieldy) may be more fitting.