difficult to conceive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to conceive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ideas, concepts, or situations that are hard to imagine or understand. Example: "The vastness of the universe is so immense that it is often difficult to conceive how many galaxies exist beyond our own."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is difficult to conceive of how awash in money big pharma is.

The New York Times - Books

It is difficult to conceive of a constitutional question that is more about pure process.

The New York Times

"I find it really difficult to conceive of a Bush victory," he said.

The New Yorker

It's very difficult to conceive of Scotland as detached from the UK".

The Guardian

It is difficult to conceive of a more effective way of setting out to undermine credibility in a government policy.

The Guardian

Sadly, if it was once difficult to conceive of people capable of such unfathomable cruelty, it is no longer.

The New Yorker

It is difficult to conceive of the Supreme Court recognizing a right to gay marriage under these circumstances.

The New Yorker

It is very difficult; very, very difficult to conceive that Sanjay had no idea what was going on".

The New York Times

"It would be difficult to conceive of a proposition more inconsistent with the Constitution, or more dangerous to American liberty".

The New York Times

If the threat of this much nuclear retaliation does not deter a prospective adversary, it is difficult to conceive of anything that would.

The New York Times

It's difficult to conceive why Congress or the armed services cannot develop a rapid procurement program to safeguard young soldiers whose leaders have put them in harm's way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to conceive" when you want to emphasize the mental effort required to understand or imagine something. It's more formal than "hard to imagine" and adds a touch of sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to conceive" when simpler alternatives like "hard to understand" or "unlikely" suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious or unnatural. Choose the simplest and clearest expression that fits the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to conceive" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is challenging to imagine or understand. Ludwig provides examples where it qualifies situations, ideas, or possibilities as being hard to grasp.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to conceive" is a versatile phrase used to express the challenge of imagining or understanding something, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adjectival phrase, is generally neutral in register, and appears frequently in News & Media and scientific contexts. While "hard to imagine" serves as a close alternative, "difficult to conceive" adds a more formal and intellectual tone. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the mental effort required to grasp a concept, and avoid overusing it in simple scenarios where simpler alternatives suffice. Ludwig examples illustrate its diverse applications, from describing complex scientific phenomena to expressing disbelief in political outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconceivable

Stresses the complete inability to imagine or comprehend.

hard to imagine

Emphasizes the difficulty in forming a mental picture.

defies imagination

Implies that something is so extraordinary that it cannot be envisioned.

difficult to believe

Focuses on the lack of credibility or trustworthiness.

unthinkable

Highlights the impossibility or unacceptability of something.

beyond comprehension

Indicates that something is impossible to fully understand.

not easy to picture

Highlights the struggle to create a mental image of something.

hard to fathom

Focuses on the difficulty of deeply understanding or grasping something.

strains credulity

Suggests that something challenges the limits of what is believable.

tough to swallow

Suggests that something is difficult to accept or believe, often due to unpleasantness.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to conceive" to express that something is hard to imagine or understand. For example, "It is "difficult to conceive" the scale of the universe" or "I find it "difficult to conceive" a world without internet".

What can I say instead of "difficult to conceive"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to imagine", "inconceivable", or "unthinkable" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "difficult to conceive" or "hard to imagine"?

"Difficult to conceive" is more formal and emphasizes intellectual effort. "Hard to imagine" is more casual and focuses on the act of forming a mental picture. The best choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

When is it appropriate to use "difficult to conceive"?

Use "difficult to conceive" when you want to convey that something is not only hard to imagine but also challenges understanding or belief. It's suitable in formal writing, academic discussions, and situations where you want to express a strong sense of incredulity or impossibility.