difficult to get across

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to get across" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is hard to communicate or convey to others. Example: "The concept of quantum physics can be quite difficult to get across to those without a scientific background."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It's very difficult to get across what that feels like".

The Guardian - Sport

Difficult to get across in translation, it is familiar to virtually every citizen of Germany.

The New York Times

The things that made Thompson magnetic are difficult to get across, the society photographer Cecil Beaton observed in 1950.

The New York Times - Books

"That's one of the things we found difficult to get across, that timber panel construction is completely different from timber frame," Mr. Thistleton said.

The New York Times - Science

Second, agriculture policy is complex enough that the need for reform is difficult to get across to voters, the vast majority of whom are being asked to pay for the subsidies while getting little in return.

The New York Times

Are you worried this may impact on the number of users you get? Something that is difficult to get across in a tagline or marketing buzzword is that Trion is here to work for your money.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But it is happening, that is clear, and it seems fairly difficult to get this across," she said.

The Guardian

"But I really wouldn't want to pass judgment on any woman, because for most women leaving their abuser is a process, it's not a one-off thing that happens and it's quite difficult to get that across and it's really important that people understand that.

Independent

It is just difficult to get that across sometimes and when there is a front-page splash of "Roy in Andros Monkey Gaffe" no one really notices that the same newspaper also had 20 pages of celebratory World Cup stuff, or that it awarded every player 10 out of 10 against Poland.

The Guardian - Sport

But it is very difficult to get siRNA across the blood-brain barrier in human patients, which has thwarted effective clincial use.

Neurotherapeutics

"I think the biggest problem we've had is just at this stage of the season, once the season starts it's difficult to get teams across.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to get across", ensure the subject you are trying to convey is clearly defined to minimize ambiguity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to get across" as a crutch in explanations that are inherently complex. Instead, break down the concept into smaller, more digestible parts to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to get across" functions as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, describing the quality of something being challenging to communicate or convey. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to get across" serves to highlight the communicative challenges involved in conveying complex ideas or messages. Ludwig AI confirms it's usable in written English, noting its prevalence in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. While grammatically sound, be mindful of potential overuse and strive for clarity when explaining complex subjects. Consider alternatives such as "hard to communicate" or "challenging to convey" to enhance precision. Overall, use this phrase thoughtfully to emphasize the complexities of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to communicate

Focuses on the communication aspect, highlighting the effort required to convey information effectively.

challenging to convey

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the transmission process.

tough to articulate

Highlights the difficulty in putting thoughts or feelings into words.

not easy to express

Indicates that expressing something requires significant effort or skill.

complicated to explain

Suggests that the subject matter is inherently complex, making it difficult to simplify.

problematic to impart

Focuses on the difficulties in imparting knowledge or information effectively.

tricky to represent

Highlights challenges in symbolizing or depicting a certain meaning accurately.

unclear to elucidate

Indicates ambiguity or obscurity that impedes clear explanation.

obscure to reveal

Suggests the message has not been openly expressed.

subtle to demonstrate

Focuses on the challenges in exhibiting or proving a concept due to its subtlety.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to get across" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to get across" to describe concepts or ideas that are challenging to communicate effectively. For example, "The nuances of the agreement were difficult to get across during the negotiation."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to get across"?

Alternatives include "hard to communicate", "challenging to convey", or "tough to articulate" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "difficult to get across" or "difficult to understand"?

"Difficult to get across" focuses on the speaker's challenge in conveying information, while "difficult to understand" focuses on the audience's challenge in comprehending it. The choice depends on whether you are highlighting communication or comprehension.

When is it appropriate to use "difficult to get across" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the complexities involved in transmitting a specific message or idea. Consider using it when simpler terms like "hard to explain" don't fully capture the communication barrier.