difficult to follow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to follow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is hard to understand or comprehend, such as instructions, a speech, or a piece of writing. Example: "The lecture was interesting, but the professor's explanations were often difficult to follow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is difficult to follow sometimes.

The New York Times - Sports

The advice proved difficult to follow.

The New York Times - Sports

At times he was difficult to follow.

The Economist

Unfortunately the advice was difficult to follow.

The New York Times

The storytelling is also difficult to follow.

The Guardian - Books

This logic is difficult to follow.

The Guardian

"It was difficult to follow," she said.

The Washington Post

The lack of words makes the narrative difficult to follow.

The Guardian - Music

The Phil Woolas saga is getting increasingly difficult to follow.

The Guardian

Flynn's directives, however, could at times be difficult to follow.

The New Yorker

To observers, the talks may seem difficult to follow.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to follow", ensure the subject is clearly defined. For instance, specify whether it's a "logic", "storyline", or "instructions" that are difficult to follow.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to follow" without specifying what is challenging. Instead of saying "The presentation was difficult to follow", specify "The presentation's arguments were difficult to follow due to the lack of supporting evidence."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to follow" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (implicit or explicit) to describe its characteristic of being challenging to understand or keep up with. Ludwig examples show its use with narratives, instructions, and arguments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to follow" is a grammatically correct and very common adjectival phrase used to describe something challenging to understand or track. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, the phrase serves to express a lack of clarity or ease in comprehending a sequence, argument, or explanation. When using this phrase, specify what is challenging to follow to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "hard to understand" or "complex to grasp". Its versatility and consistent application make it a reliable choice in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to understand

Focuses on the lack of comprehension rather than the process of following.

challenging to comprehend

Emphasizes the effort required for understanding.

complex to grasp

Highlights the intricate nature making understanding hard.

obscure to understand

Suggests a lack of clarity or transparency.

tough to make sense of

Focuses on the struggle to find meaning or logic.

not easy to keep up with

Emphasizes the speed or volume of information.

confusing to track

Highlights the disorientation in following a sequence or series.

unclear to pursue

Focuses on lack of clarity in investigation or chase.

cumbersome to trace

Emphasizes the difficulty of following a path or process.

laborious to decipher

Highlights the effort required to decode or interpret.

FAQs

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

Use "difficult to follow" to describe something that is hard to understand or keep up with. For instance: "The plot of the movie was "difficult to follow" because of the numerous flashbacks", or "His instructions were "difficult to follow" due to his heavy accent".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to follow"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to understand", "challenging to comprehend", or "complex to grasp", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "difficult to follow" is a common and acceptable construction in English, used to describe something that presents a challenge in understanding or tracking.

What's the difference between "difficult to follow" and "hard to understand"?

While both phrases express a lack of comprehension, "difficult to follow" often implies a process or sequence that is hard to keep up with, whereas "hard to understand" suggests a general lack of clarity or comprehensibility.