difficult to discern

USAGE SUMMARY

'difficult to discern' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that is not easily noticed or distinguished. For example, "The details of the plan were difficult to discern."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That ambition is not difficult to discern.

The Guardian - Business

The answer is not difficult to discern.

The Guardian - Opinion

General Kayani's personal views are difficult to discern.

The New York Times

It is often difficult to discern whether Blatter is serious.

The New York Times - Sports

This year it was difficult to discern such differences, however.

The New York Times

It is difficult to discern which aspects are not so!

The Guardian - Opinion

Pore spaces are rare and difficult to discern (Fig. 1e).

Nature

The centra of the presacral vertebrae are difficult to discern.

Nature

The answers are more difficult to discern than it seems.

The New York Times - Arts

It is difficult to discern who was behind the attacks.

The New York Times

The reason is not difficult to discern: politics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to discern" when you want to emphasize that something requires careful observation or analysis to be understood or noticed. Ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to appreciate the subtlety.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to discern" when a simpler phrase like "hard to see" or "unclear" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to discern" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the quality of something being challenging to perceive, understand, or distinguish, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to discern" is a correct and commonly used expression to describe something that is not easily perceived or understood. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical soundness and widespread usage. It is found across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia, making it versatile for various writing styles. While generally neutral to formal, it is crucial to avoid overuse in simple contexts. When writing, ensure that the context provides enough detail to warrant the use of such a nuanced phrase. Alternatives include "hard to perceive" or "not easy to distinguish", depending on the intended meaning. This detailed analysis offers a comprehensive understanding of when and how to use this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to perceive

Replaces "discern" with "perceive" maintaining the sense of noticing something with difficulty.

not easy to distinguish

Focuses on the lack of clear distinction, similar to difficulty in discerning.

challenging to detect

Emphasizes the difficulty in detecting or noticing something.

obscure to identify

Highlights the obscurity making identification difficult.

subtle and unclear

Emphasizes subtlety and lack of clarity.

vague and indistinct

Highlights the vague and indistinct nature of something.

tough to make out

An informal way to express the difficulty in understanding or seeing something.

not readily apparent

Indicates something is not immediately obvious or noticeable.

requires close examination

Shifts the focus to the need for careful inspection to understand.

difficult to make sense of

Focuses on the difficulty in understanding or interpreting something.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to discern" to describe something that is not easily noticed or understood. For example, "The subtle nuances in his argument were difficult to discern."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to discern"?

Alternatives include "hard to perceive", "not easy to distinguish", or "challenging to detect", depending on the specific context.

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

"Difficult to discern" and "hard to discern" are largely interchangeable. "Difficult" may sound slightly more formal, but both are grammatically correct and understandable.

What does it mean when something is "difficult to discern"?

When something is "difficult to discern", it means that it is not easily recognized, understood, or distinguished. It requires careful attention or analysis to perceive it accurately.