difficult to evaluate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to evaluate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not easily understood or judged. For example, "The ethics of this situation are difficult to evaluate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Difficult to evaluate, advising remains a tertiary responsibility to professors.

The New York Times

There's a mystery component that is really difficult to evaluate.

Harvard Business Review

The environmental impact has been more difficult to evaluate.

The New York Times

The tasters also found the warmest cheese more difficult to evaluate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Keith Owens, a spokesman for Zurich North America, said the claim has been difficult to evaluate.

The New York Times

It is difficult to evaluate the impact Archbishop Egan's remarks will have on the elections.

The New York Times

Part of the reason is that the programme is difficult to evaluate.

The Guardian

As innovations grow even more complex, it is increasingly difficult to evaluate the dangers ahead.

The New Yorker

But how these efforts will translate into influence at the ballot box is difficult to evaluate.

The New York Times

Administrators find it difficult to evaluate homeless students for learning disabilities.

The New York Times

Therefore, it is difficult to evaluate effective interventions.

Cryptosporidium From Molecules to Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose synonyms judiciously based on the specific nuance you wish to convey. "Assess", "judge", "measure", and "ascertain" can subtly alter the meaning.

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "difficult to evaluate" without providing specific reasons. This can weaken your argument and make your assessment seem arbitrary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to evaluate" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the characteristic of something being challenging to assess or judge. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to evaluate" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something challenging to assess or judge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business settings. Related phrases include "challenging to assess" and "hard to judge". When using this phrase, provide specific reasons for the difficulty in evaluation to strengthen your argument. Avoid overgeneralization without supporting evidence. Overall, "difficult to evaluate" is a versatile phrase for conveying complexity in assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging to assess

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "evaluate" with "assess", offering a slight variation in wording while maintaining the core meaning.

hard to judge

Substitutes "difficult" with "hard" and "evaluate" with "judge", providing a more straightforward and common alternative.

not easy to determine

Rephrases the concept using a negative construction, emphasizing the lack of ease in determining something.

complex to ascertain

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "difficult" with "complex" and "evaluate" with "ascertain", suitable for academic or technical contexts.

problematic to gauge

Employs "problematic" instead of "difficult" and "gauge" in place of "evaluate", highlighting potential issues in the assessment process.

tough to measure

Swaps "difficult" with "tough" and "evaluate" with "measure", focusing on the challenges in quantifying something.

not straightforward to appraise

Indicates that appraisal process lacks straightforwardness.

subject to interpretation

Highlights the role of subjective view when judging.

requires careful consideration

Highlights the necessity of taking time to properly evaluate.

poses an evaluative challenge

Emphasizes evaluating as something that isn't easy.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to evaluate" to describe situations, proposals, or performances that are not easily assessed or judged. For example, "The long-term effects of the policy are "difficult to evaluate"."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to evaluate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "challenging to assess", "hard to judge", or "complex to ascertain".

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

Both "difficult to evaluate" and "hard to evaluate" are grammatically correct and widely understood. "Difficult" is slightly more formal, while "hard" is more conversational. The choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

What makes something "difficult to evaluate"?

Factors that can make something "difficult to evaluate" include a lack of clear data, conflicting information, subjective criteria, or long time horizons. For example, the success of a new marketing campaign can be "difficult to evaluate" if the metrics are not well-defined.