difficult to decide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to decide" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty or complexity in making a choice or judgment. Example: "With so many options available, it is difficult to decide which one is the best for our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is difficult to decide.

The Guardian - Film

It's very difficult to decide".

The New Yorker

It wasn't difficult to decide.

The Guardian - Film

It wasn't that difficult to decide.

The Guardian - Sport

It's difficult to decide which has given greater pleasure.

The Guardian

Apart from the goalkeeper, every berth was difficult to decide.

The Guardian - Sport

It is difficult to decide which room to select.

The New York Times - Travel

It may find it difficult to decide on Mao's successor.

The Guardian

But it is also sometimes difficult to decide when a tangible loss was caused by fraud.

Cornell University

Does that freedom ever make it more difficult to decide what to write about?

The New Yorker

But when it came, he says, it wasn't too difficult to decide what to do.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to decide", ensure the context clearly indicates what options or choices are being considered. Providing context helps the reader understand the nature of the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the subject is unclear when using "difficult to decide". Instead of saying "It is difficult to decide", specify who finds it difficult to decide, like "Researchers find it difficult to decide".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to decide" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implicit or explicit noun, describing the quality of a decision-making process. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is frequently used to express a challenge in arriving at a conclusion or making a choice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to decide" is a common and grammatically correct way to express uncertainty or complexity in making a choice. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "hard to determine" or "challenging to choose" exist, the original phrase remains a versatile and widely understood option. Remember to provide sufficient context to ensure clarity when using this phrase, specifying the options or factors contributing to the difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and widespread use of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to determine

Emphasizes the challenge in establishing something definitively, shifting from decision-making to ascertainment.

challenging to choose

Focuses on the selection process, highlighting the demanding nature of picking among options.

tough to resolve

Implies a problem or conflict that needs settling, adding a layer of complexity beyond simple choice.

not easy to conclude

Suggests the process of drawing a reasoned judgment is not straightforward, emphasizing the reasoning aspect.

a tough call

Uses a more informal expression to describe a decision that is hard to make.

presenting a dilemma

Highlights the presence of a situation with mutually exclusive options, each with its own drawbacks.

it remains uncertain

Shifts the focus to the unresolved state of affairs, suggesting the difficulty in predicting or determining an outcome.

posing complications

Indicates that a situation is creating difficulties and making decision-making more complex.

creating a quandary

Expresses that a choice is creating a state of perplexity or doubt.

it's debatable

Focuses on the contentious nature of a topic, suggesting multiple valid viewpoints exist, making a firm decision problematic.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to decide" to express uncertainty or complexity in making a choice. For example, "With so many qualified candidates, it was "difficult to decide" whom to hire."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to decide"?

Alternatives include "hard to determine", "challenging to choose", or "tough to resolve", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "difficult to decide" or "hard to decide"?

Both "difficult to decide" and "hard to decide" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone, with "difficult" sounding slightly more formal.

What makes something "difficult to decide"?

Factors contributing to a decision being "difficult to decide" can include numerous options, conflicting information, high stakes, or a lack of clear criteria for evaluation.