difficult to express

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to express" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to feelings, thoughts, or ideas that are hard to articulate or communicate clearly. Example: "Her emotions were so complex that they were difficult to express in words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's difficult to express what's going on.

The Guardian

These things are difficult to express, especially in monetary terms.

The Guardian

It's difficult to express why in words," he says.

The Guardian - Arts

"Genocide is very difficult to express in words.

The Guardian

It is difficult to express how difficult it is.

The Guardian - Sport

"Pain is difficult to express," Dr. Biro writes.

The New York Times - Health

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are prevalent in plant specialized metabolism and are particularly difficult to express heterologously.

Stanford University

Iteration (for loops, do-while) and conditionals (if-then-else) are particularly difficult to express cleanly.

University of California, Berkeley

However, it is often difficult to express these embodied, collective experiences.

Emotion, Space and Society

A lot of requirements are difficult to express and to assess using formal methods.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Second, it is difficult to express the special output type of itemsets.

Proceedings 2004 VLDB Conference

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to express", consider specifying what makes it difficult (e.g., complexity, emotional intensity, lack of appropriate vocabulary). This adds clarity and depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to express" as a shortcut for deeper analysis. Instead of simply stating that something is hard to express, try to articulate why it is challenging to convey. Provide specific details or examples to illustrate the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to express" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, describing something that presents a challenge in articulation. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to express" serves as a crucial linguistic tool for acknowledging the inherent limitations of language when grappling with complex or deeply felt experiences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and enjoys widespread usage across diverse contexts. While it's important to avoid overusing this phrase as a substitute for detailed description, it effectively signals to the reader that the subject matter is nuanced and challenging to articulate perfectly. Remember to consider alternatives like "hard to articulate" or "challenging to convey" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to articulate

This alternative highlights the struggle to put thoughts or feelings into words clearly.

challenging to convey

This focuses on the difficulty in transmitting a message or idea successfully to someone else.

awkward to put into words

This suggests that the expression is not only difficult but also potentially uncomfortable or clumsy.

not easy to communicate

This emphasizes the general difficulty in conveying information or feelings.

tough to verbalize

This highlights the struggle to express something using spoken language.

a struggle to express

This emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in the act of expressing something.

elusive in expression

This indicates that the concept or feeling is hard to capture or define when trying to express it.

beyond words

This implies that the subject is too profound or intense to be adequately described with language.

indescribable

This suggests that the subject is inherently impossible to fully capture through expression.

hard to get across

This focuses on the difficulty in making someone else understand the intended meaning.

FAQs

What does "difficult to express" mean?

The phrase "difficult to express" means something is challenging to articulate or communicate clearly, often due to its complexity, emotional depth, or abstract nature.

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

You can use "difficult to express" to describe feelings, ideas, or sensations that are hard to put into words. For instance: "The grief she felt was "difficult to express"."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to express"?

Alternatives include "hard to articulate", "challenging to convey", or "beyond words", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "difficult to express" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to acknowledge the limitations of language in capturing a particular experience or concept. However, always strive to provide as much specific detail as possible, even if perfect expression is elusive.