difficult to decouple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to decouple" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, systems, or elements that are intertwined or interdependent, making it challenging to separate them. Example: "The relationship between economic growth and environmental sustainability is often difficult to decouple in policy discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Until now, it was difficult to decouple the latter two processes and accurately predict viral fate.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

The dissolution of Ru is governed by a combination of morphological (surface density of defects) and electronic (surface energy) effects, which are difficult to decouple.

Nature

However, because of land ownership patterns, it was difficult to decouple environmental from disturbance factors associated with management strategies across multiple ownerships.

Ecological Indicators

Since it is very difficult to decouple morphological and electronic effects in (electro catalysis, it would be very difficult to unambiguously determine which of these two properties may govern the observed structure function relationships.

Nature

Typical methods require the use of protecting agents to control the properties of Au nanoparticles and therefore it is difficult to decouple the influence of the protecting agent and the support material.

Chinese Journal of Catalysis

In many cases, it is difficult to decouple the effect of area and thickness polydispersity, which makes sedimentation-based centrifugal separation less useful.

Nano Convergence

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The intuitive solution for this difficult task is to decouple it into two sequential but independent subproblems, the compression artifacts reduction (CAR) and the SR.

Neurocomputing

Due to EAST PF coils distribution, it is difficult to physical decouple plasma control parameters and poloidal field (PF) coils current.

Fusion Engineering and Design

However, by their nature it is quite difficult to validate these models, and to decouple the influence of different modelling parameters.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

But it is very difficult to understand what is to be gained from Grieve's proposal to decouple any proposed successor to the HRA from Strasbourg jurisprudence when our courts are not bound by it anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, Cameron's attempts to decouple the referendum from his own party and leadership will be difficult, given that it is inevitably being seen as the biggest gamble of his career, which will decide his future in Downing Street as well as the direction of the country.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to decouple", ensure the context clearly identifies the elements that are hard to separate and the reason for the difficulty. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to decouple" as a vague statement. Instead, specify why the elements are hard to separate. For example, rather than stating "the factors are difficult to decouple", specify which factors and the nature of their interdependence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to decouple" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun (often implicit) to indicate the challenging nature of separating or isolating two or more related entities or concepts. As shown in Ludwig, this construction is commonly used in contexts where clear distinctions are hard to draw.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to decouple" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote the challenge of separating or isolating interconnected elements or concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As evident from Ludwig's examples, it commonly appears in scientific, news and media, and formal contexts, signaling the complexities inherent in analyzing intertwined subjects. When employing this phrase, clarity is paramount; ensure the context precisely identifies the linked elements and the basis for their interdependence to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""hard to separate"" or ""challenging to isolate"" offer similar meanings, while source authority and usage consistency reinforce its reliability in sophisticated discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to separate

Emphasizes the physical or conceptual challenge in distinguishing or dividing the elements.

challenging to isolate

Highlights the difficulty in singling out a specific aspect or component from a complex system.

tough to disentangle

Suggests a complex interweaving of elements that makes separation a laborious process.

not easy to differentiate

Focuses on the struggle to perceive or define differences between seemingly similar things.

complex to resolve

Implies a multifaceted problem where components are deeply connected and hard to simplify.

tricky to unlink

Highlights the complicated nature of severing an existing connection or association.

problematic to segregate

Indicates issues that arise when attempting to keep things separate or distinct.

laborious to extract

Focuses on the high effort required to remove or isolate something from its surrounding context.

cumbersome to partition

Suggests that dividing or separating something is a complicated and unwieldy process.

involves difficulties in distinguishing

Emphasizes the presence of considerable obstacles in perceiving differences.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to decouple" to describe situations where two or more concepts, factors, or entities are so closely linked that it's hard to consider them separately. For example, "It is difficult to decouple the effects of nature and nurture on a child's development."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to decouple"?

Alternatives include "hard to separate", "challenging to isolate", or "tough to disentangle" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "difficult to decouple"?

"Difficult to decouple" is appropriate in academic writing, scientific reports, and formal discussions where you need to describe complex relationships between variables or elements that are hard to isolate or consider independently.

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

Yes, ""hard to separate"" is very similar to "difficult to decouple" and can often be used interchangeably, though "difficult" carries a slightly more formal tone than "hard".