difficult to communicate with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to communicate with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person or situation where effective communication is challenging. Example: "I find it difficult to communicate with my colleague during meetings, as he often interrupts and changes the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Community-based service providers felt if they obtained reactive or invalid results on POCT, it was difficult to communicate with laboratory personnel and often relied upon informal communications.

BMC Public Health

"It was very difficult to communicate with these people," Muziki went on.

The New Yorker

"Like a lot of coaches I personally found it difficult to communicate with board members who are businessmen, not basketballers," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's difficult to communicate with them," said Gemma Gillie, a representative of Médecins Sans Frontières who witnessed the scene at the border on Monday.

The Guardian

Marie-Ange's parents soon changed their minds and wanted her to return home, but they found it difficult to communicate with her.

The New Yorker

Mr. Hochheiser told the judge that he had told Mr. Espada about the plea offer and described his client as difficult to communicate with.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

She simply didn't understand the new culture, had no experience working with a volunteer board, and was finding it difficult to communicate effectively with a large team of staff and volunteers who were understandably wary of having an outsider at the helm.

Huffington Post

For example, it's difficult to communicate well with co-workers.

Science Magazine

Since it is difficult to communicate verbally with infants, they can not be expected to follow orders involved in a calibration procedure.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

There is there an 'expert to non-expert' interaction, with little likelihood of shared knowledge between participants, as well as a situation where the unshared knowledge is highly technical and difficult to communicate verbally or with traditional media.

BMJ Open

Like in many countries, children and people with disabilities are mistakenly believed to be sick, difficult to communicate or make friends with.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing communication difficulties, be specific about the cause. Instead of simply stating someone is "difficult to communicate with", explain the reasons, such as language barriers, differing communication styles, or cognitive impairments.

Common error

Don't use "difficult to communicate with" as a general catch-all phrase. Provide context and details to clarify the nature of the communication challenge and avoid generalizations that could lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to communicate with" functions as an adjective phrase that describes the characteristic of a person, group, or system that presents obstacles to effective information exchange. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science & Research

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to communicate with" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe challenges in effective communication. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. Analysis reveals its function as an adjective phrase expressing obstacles in dialogue, suitable for neutral registers across diverse contexts such as news, science, and business. When using this phrase, be specific about the nature of the communication barrier to avoid vagueness and ensure clarity. Alternatives like "hard to get through to" or "challenging to connect with" can offer nuanced expressions of the communication difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to get through to

Focuses on the effort required to make someone understand.

challenging to connect with

Emphasizes the difficulty in forming a personal or emotional link.

unable to reach

Suggests a failure in establishing any form of contact.

messaging is a struggle

Highlights the problematic aspects of sending information, both verbally and non-verbally.

communication barriers exist

Points to obstacles hindering effective dialogue.

conversations are strained

Emphasizes the awkwardness and difficulty of interactions.

dialogue is unproductive

Highlights the ineffectiveness of communication efforts.

misunderstandings frequently occur

Focuses on the result of ineffective communication.

out of touch

Highlights the disconnect and lack of understanding.

language is a barrier

Identifies language differences as the main obstacle in communication.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "difficult to communicate with"?

Saying someone is "difficult to communicate with" implies that there are challenges in exchanging information or ideas effectively with that person. This could stem from various reasons, such as language barriers, differing communication styles, cognitive differences, or emotional factors.

What are some alternative ways to describe someone who is "difficult to communicate with"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to get through to", "challenging to connect with", or "unable to reach" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "difficult to communicate with"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "difficult to communicate with" follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

How can I improve communication with someone I find "difficult to communicate with"?

Try to identify the specific barriers to communication, such as language differences or differing communication styles. Be patient, use clear and simple language, and actively listen to ensure understanding. Visual aids or alternative communication methods may also be helpful.