difficult to elicit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to elicit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is hard to obtain or draw out, such as information, responses, or emotions. Example: "The patient's feelings about the treatment were difficult to elicit during the session."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

For example, it is difficult to elicit a swallow when the cortical masticatory centers are stimulated.

Nature

Due to the small sample size, it is difficult to elicit a link between homelessness and poor ocular health.

Nature

"That's no longer the case, but it is very difficult to elicit the same fear for the same number of deaths spaced over a year".

The Guardian

Furthermore, some workers are more successful than others in producing toxins in cultures, particularly of certain fish-killing algae whose lethal qualities are difficult to elicit.

The New York Times - Science

(Miller later had two more children with Morath). "It was difficult to elicit praise from him," Robert recalled of his father, adding that his stepmother was more playful.

The New York Times - Magazine

And big literacy gains have so far proven more difficult to elicit than gains in math, with which the organization has more experience.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The general assumption is that students do not adopt reflective learning habits spontaneously [ 3], and it is often a quite difficult activity to elicit [ 12– 15].

BMC Medical Education

These changes are making it difficult for vaccines to elicit reliable antibody responses against the threat.

Nature

With overcrowded clinics and lack of adequate infrastructure to ensure privacy, it is difficult for clinicians to elicit information pertaining to HIV risk behaviours.

Plosone

Infections included are difficult to compare to elicit general recommendations, in particular for the ependymitis and peritonitis episodes.

BMC Infectious Diseases

It is relatively difficult to be elicited.

Engineering in Agriculture, Environment and Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to elicit", ensure the context clearly indicates what is proving challenging to obtain or evoke. For example, specify whether it's information, a response, or a particular emotion.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to elicit" without clearly specifying the subject. Instead of saying "It was difficult to elicit", be specific: "It was difficult to elicit a response from the patient."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to elicit" functions as an adjective phrase describing the degree of effort or challenge involved in evoking or obtaining something. It typically modifies a noun, indicating that a particular response, piece of information, or emotion is not easily brought forth. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to elicit" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe something hard to obtain or evoke. As Ludwig AI has verified, it finds prevalence in scientific, academic, and news-related contexts, signaling a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure to be specific about what you're trying to obtain. If you're seeking alternative phrasing, consider options like "hard to obtain" or "challenging to draw out" for similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to obtain

Emphasizes the challenge in acquiring or securing something, focusing on the act of getting rather than evoking.

challenging to draw out

Highlights the difficulty in extracting or bringing something forth, often referring to information or emotions.

not easily obtained

Focuses on the lack of ease in acquiring something, presenting a more passive perspective.

difficult to provoke

Indicates the trouble in inciting a reaction or response, often in the context of behavior or emotions.

unlikely to evoke

Suggests a low probability of causing a particular feeling or response.

resistant to stimulation

Highlights the difficulty in triggering a response through external factors or stimuli.

tough to bring about

Focuses on the effort needed to cause or initiate a particular outcome.

not readily apparent

Highlights that something isn't obvious or easily visible.

calls for extraction challenges

Points out the problematic parts of the extraction process.

presents retrieval obstacles

Indicates obstacles or problems in the retrieval process.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to elicit" to describe something that is hard to obtain or draw out. For instance, "The patient's feelings about the treatment were difficult to elicit during the session."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to elicit"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to obtain", "challenging to draw out", or "not easily obtained" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "difficult to elicit"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

What makes something "difficult to elicit"?

Something might be "difficult to elicit" due to various factors, such as sensitivity of the topic, lack of trust, or inherent complexity.