difficult to distinguish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to distinguish" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when describing something that is challenging to discern or tell apart from something else. For example, "Some species of birds have subtle differences in their colors, making them difficult to distinguish."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Note: Some California per species intergrade, hybridize, difficult to distinguish.

University of California, Berkeley

EK: That is difficult to distinguish in an animal.

MIT Technology Review

Rudd's conservative agenda was often difficult to distinguish from Howard's.

The Guardian - Opinion

Details in the grainy video are difficult to distinguish.

The New York Times

"We may find it difficult to distinguish friend from foe.

The Guardian

Why is it sometimes difficult to distinguish between the two?

The New York Times

These workhouses were difficult to distinguish from houses of correction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is increasingly difficult to distinguish between the two.

The Economist

This type of chronic depression is difficult to distinguish from dysthymia.

Harvard University

another form of red-green colorblindness, in which reds and greens are difficult to distinguish.

University of California, Berkeley

The public finds it very difficult to distinguish science from fake science right now.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to distinguish", ensure the context clearly identifies what is hard to differentiate and why. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to distinguish" without specifying the criteria or characteristics that make differentiation challenging. Being specific enhances the reader's understanding and prevents generalizations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to distinguish" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the level of challenge involved in differentiating between two or more entities. It's a common expression used to convey that the differences are subtle or obscured, making identification problematic. As Ludwig confirms, it is considered standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

27%

News & Media

31%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to distinguish" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe situations where differentiation is challenging. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard English grammar. Appearing frequently in academic, news, and scientific contexts, this phrase serves the purpose of expressing a lack of clarity or ease in discerning differences. To enhance clarity, specify what is hard to differentiate and why when using this phrase. Related alternatives include "hard to differentiate" and "challenging to discern". Steer clear of overuse in vague contexts to maintain precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to differentiate

Replaces "difficult" with "hard", slightly altering the tone while maintaining the core meaning of a challenge in telling things apart.

challenging to discern

Uses "challenging" and "discern" to convey the effort required in distinguishing, suggesting a more intellectual or analytical task.

not easy to tell apart

Emphasizes the lack of ease in distinguishing, presenting a simpler and more direct alternative.

elusive to differentiate

Indicates that the difference is hard to catch or define. It implies a subtle quality that is difficult to grasp.

obscure to discern

Signifies that the details needed for differentiation are not easily seen or understood. It points to a lack of clarity.

subtle differences

Focuses on the small and nuanced differences that exist, suggesting a high level of detail is required for differentiation.

blurred lines

Indicates that the distinction is not clear and precise, creating a sense of ambiguity.

indistinguishable

Implies an inability to perceive any difference at all; the items are virtually the same.

resemblance is uncanny

Suggests an extremely strong similarity, to the point where differences are negligible. Highlights likeness more than difficulty.

appear nearly identical

Focuses on visual similarity, implying that at a glance, the items cannot be told apart.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to distinguish" to describe situations where it's challenging to tell the difference between two or more things. For example, "The twins were so alike that it was difficult to distinguish them."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to distinguish"?

Alternatives include "hard to differentiate", "challenging to discern", or "not easy to tell apart", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "difficult to distinguish between" or "difficult to distinguish from"?

Both "difficult to distinguish between" and "difficult to distinguish from" are correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Between" is used when referring to two distinct items, while "from" is used to differentiate one item from a group or category.

What's the difference between "difficult to distinguish" and "indistinguishable"?

"Difficult to distinguish" implies that differentiation is possible but challenging, while "indistinguishable" suggests that there is effectively no perceivable difference.