difficult to digest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to digest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe information, ideas, or concepts that are hard to understand or accept. Example: "The report was filled with complex data and theories that were difficult to digest for the average reader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We find this two-step digestion provides superior digestion of difficult to digest proteins.

Plosone

"Such occurrences are difficult to digest.

The Guardian - Film

It can also be difficult to digest.

The New York Times

Much of Mr. Aubrey's advice is difficult to digest.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was just a little bit difficult to digest".

The New York Times

No. 5 might be the most difficult to digest.

The New York Times - Sports

The hard diasporic bauxites are difficult to grind and difficult to digest during alumina production.

International Journal of Mineral Processing

The increasing urgency of the problem has made it too difficult to digest, let alone tackle.

The Guardian

Some worry that CSOB will find it difficult to digest IPB, a far bigger bank.

The Economist

"You really should not have anything heavy or difficult to digest in the morning".

The New York Times

Climate change journalism can often also be full of institutional acronyms and difficult to digest science.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to digest" figuratively, consider if a more specific adjective like "complex", "confusing", or "disturbing" would provide greater clarity.

Common error

While "difficult to digest" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hard to understand" or "tough to accept" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to digest" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or concept. It indicates that something is challenging to process, either literally in terms of digestion or figuratively in terms of understanding or accepting information. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to digest" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that is challenging to understand, accept, or process. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, scientific articles, and general writing. While versatile, consider using more specific adjectives when appropriate to enhance clarity. Common alternatives include "hard to understand", "challenging to grasp", and "tough to accept". Remember to avoid overusing it in casual contexts for a more natural tone. By understanding its nuances and appropriate usage, you can effectively convey the difficulty of processing information or experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to understand

Focuses on the cognitive challenge of comprehending something.

challenging to grasp

Emphasizes the effort required to fully understand or accept something.

tough to accept

Highlights the emotional difficulty in agreeing with or believing something.

not easily understood

A more formal way of saying "hard to understand".

heavy going

Implies a slow and arduous process of understanding or accepting.

demanding of attention

Stresses the need for careful consideration due to complexity.

complex to process

Focuses on the mental effort required to analyze or deal with information.

impenetrable

Suggests that something is impossible to understand.

obscure

Highlights the lack of clarity or obviousness.

opaque

Similar to obscure, suggesting a lack of transparency or easy understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to digest" to describe something that is hard to understand, accept, or process, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The complex scientific theory was difficult to digest" or "The news of the company's bankruptcy was difficult to digest".

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

You can use alternatives like "hard to understand", "challenging to grasp", or "tough to accept" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "difficult in digesting" instead of "difficult to digest"?

While grammatically possible, "difficult in digesting" is less common and sounds awkward. "Difficult to digest" is the more natural and widely accepted phrasing.

What's the difference between "difficult to digest" and "difficult to swallow"?

"Difficult to digest" can refer to both physical digestion of food and the mental processing of information. "Difficult to swallow" is primarily used figuratively to describe something unpleasant or hard to accept, but it can also refer to a physical difficulty. Both expressions are similar, and in some contexts, can be interchangeable.