difficult to formulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to formulate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ideas, concepts, or statements that are challenging to express clearly or concisely. Example: "The theory was so complex that it was difficult to formulate a clear explanation for the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Silymarin is poorly soluble both in water and oil, making it difficult to formulate as emulsion formulation, but it was successfully formulated as proliposomes with an improved bioavailability of 3.5-fold as against pure drug in beagle dogs.

Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B

β-carotene was used as a poorly water-soluble model substance that is difficult to formulate with conventional solid dispersion formulations.

International Journal of Pharmaceutics

"The issue with algae is it's quite difficult to formulate it into foods that people are familiar with," he says.

The Guardian

Intelligibility varies so much with the speaker and the hearer, however, that it is difficult to formulate firm criteria on that basis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But there is no doubt that, in ways difficult to formulate precisely, they are also disturbing symbols of Michelangelo's personal attitudes, emotions, and psychological conflicts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most invitees understand that guest lists are difficult to formulate, and that budgets, venues and large families can force tough choices.

The New York Times

It did not take Arthur long to discover that it is difficult to formulate a useful model in conventional mathematical terms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is difficult to formulate a distinct definition for each of these terms, because their use largely overlaps in the literature despite individual preferences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It would make the position of the 27 more difficult to formulate and could lead to misunderstandings and illusions on the British side, and would prolong negative consequences," he said.

The Guardian

But it is difficult to formulate the reductionist claim precisely.

SEP

It is difficult to formulate this point precisely, however.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to formulate", ensure the context clearly identifies what is proving challenging to formulate, providing specifics for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to formulate" without specifying why it is difficult. Providing context enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to formulate" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied or stated noun. It expresses the degree of challenge associated with creating or articulating something. Ludwig AI identifies its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

14%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to formulate" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey the challenge of creating or clearly expressing something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its appropriateness across diverse contexts, particularly in scientific, academic, and news-related domains. When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to effective communication. Consider alternatives like "tough to formulate" or "challenging to formulate" to tailor the nuance to your specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tough to formulate

Uses a synonym for "difficult", indicating a similar level of challenge.

tricky to formulate

Replaces "difficult" with "tricky", suggesting a need for careful handling.

complex to formulate

Emphasizes the complicated nature of the thing being formulated.

challenging to formulate

Suggests that the formulation requires significant effort and skill.

hard to express

Focuses on the difficulty in conveying a particular idea or concept.

problematic to formulate

Indicates potential issues or obstacles in the formulation process.

difficult to articulate

Highlights the struggle to express something in a coherent manner.

difficult to draft

Specifies the difficulty in creating a written version of something.

difficult to establish

Shifts the focus to the challenge of setting up or proving something.

difficult to implement

Focuses on the difficulty of putting a plan or idea into action.

FAQs

What does "difficult to formulate" mean?

The phrase "difficult to formulate" means that something is challenging to express clearly or create in a specific form. It suggests complexity or lack of clear information.

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

You can use "difficult to formulate" to describe abstract concepts, complex theories, or vague ideas. For example: "The policy was so nuanced that it was "difficult to formulate" a concise summary."

What can I say instead of "difficult to formulate"?

Alternatives include "tough to formulate", "tricky to formulate", or "challenging to formulate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "difficult to formulate" or "hard to formulate"?

Both "difficult to formulate" and "hard to formulate" are grammatically correct. "Difficult" is generally considered more formal than "hard", but both are acceptable in most contexts.