difficult to emphasize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to emphasize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is challenging to highlight or stress in a conversation or text. Example: "In this complex topic, certain key points are difficult to emphasize without oversimplifying the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Tools for computer-aided teaching and learning provide multiple benefits from the point of view of teaching because it allows emphasizing or illustrating certain issues that are sometimes difficult to emphasize without such type of support.

Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática Industrial RIAI

"What has made it previously difficult to emphasize treatment over criminal justice is that the problem was identified as poor, minority, and as a consequence, the thinking was, it's often a character flaw in those individuals who live in those communities, and it's not our problem they're just being locked up," he said.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the business world, managers finding this difficult often tend to emphasize the negative.

Harvard Business Review

The fact that many instances may occur where its application may be difficult is merely to emphasize the nature of the administrative problem and the reason for the grant of latitude by the Congress.

Cornell University

It is difficult to over-emphasize the point that you cannot wait until the fall to begin preparations for entering the job market.

Duke University

This endogeneity is sometimes difficult to trace, emphasizing the need to clearly document how datasets were constructed.

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability

If I am to help someone overcome symptoms, change behaviors, and climb out of difficult situations, I need to emphasize also all the positives he brings to the situation.

Huffington Post

Within the parental decision frame, parents faced a difficult question about whether to emphasize respecting their child's autonomy or to protect their child from harm –a moral rather than a medical choice.

BMC Pediatrics

In the meantime, however, it serves to emphasize how difficult it can be to determine whether a credit event has taken place.

The New York Times

Although each style can be beneficial, natural constraints and competing demands force difficult choices about which values to emphasize and how people are expected to behave.

Harvard Business Review

A Nature study finds that these bacteria grow faster and die younger in warmer climates, but the relationship is far more complex than that, with multiple feedback loops and intricacies serving to emphasize how difficult the consequences could be to predict as our planet continues to warm. .

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to emphasize", ensure that the reason for the difficulty is clear to the reader. Providing context will strengthen your argument and prevent misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating how "difficult to emphasize" a point is. Overuse can weaken your overall argument and make you seem unsure of your message. Instead, offer specific examples to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to emphasize" acts as a connector, specifically indicating the purpose or reason behind a challenge. It highlights that stressing a certain point is problematic. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to emphasize" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe challenges in highlighting specific points. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly usable in written English. Its usage spans across news, academic, and science contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the cause of the difficulty and avoid exaggeration to maintain credibility. While less frequent than other similar expressions, understanding its nuances allows for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to stress

Changes the verb from "emphasize" to "stress", implying a similar action of highlighting importance, but with a slightly different nuance.

challenging to highlight

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "emphasize" with "highlight", conveying the struggle in making something prominent.

not easy to underscore

Uses "underscore" to mean emphasize, suggesting the act of drawing attention to something, while "not easy" replaces "difficult".

a struggle to accentuate

Replaces "difficult" with "a struggle" and "emphasize" with "accentuate", both suggesting an effort to bring attention to something.

tough to bring to the fore

Employs idiomatic expression to describe the difficulty of making something prominent or noticeable.

problematic to foreground

Uses "foreground" as a synonym for emphasize, highlighting the issues in making something the most important or noticeable aspect.

not straightforward to bring out

Conveys the idea that it's not simple to make something noticeable or to emphasize its importance.

requires effort to spotlight

Highlights that putting focus and attention involves dedication and hard work.

hard to give prominence to

Focuses on the labor to give importance and top position to a specific aspect.

complex to draw attention to

Changes "difficult" into "complex" showing the inherent sophistication of the topic.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to emphasize" to describe points that are challenging to highlight due to complexity, sensitivity, or lack of clear evidence. For example, "It is difficult to emphasize the importance of early detection without causing undue alarm".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to emphasize"?

Alternatives include "hard to stress", "challenging to highlight", or "not easy to underscore". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "difficult to emphasize" and "hard to emphasize" are grammatically correct. "Difficult" suggests a more complex or intricate challenge, while "hard" implies a more straightforward effort. The choice depends on the specific context.

Why might something be "difficult to emphasize"?

Something might be "difficult to emphasize" because it is counterintuitive, easily misunderstood, or lacks sufficient supporting evidence. Furthermore, emphasis can be difficult when it requires specialized knowledge or nuanced understanding from the audience.