difficult to interpret

USAGE SUMMARY

"difficult to interpret" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is challenging to understand or explain. For example: "The results of the survey were difficult to interpret due to a variety of confounding factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Consequently, trade figures are difficult to interpret.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's difficult to interpret things right now".

The New York Times

"The scenes are extremely difficult to interpret.

The New York Times - Science

This statement is difficult to interpret.

The New Yorker

S.A.T. results are notoriously difficult to interpret.

The New York Times

The studies are difficult to interpret.

Nature

"It's always difficult to interpret the incidence rate".

The New York Times

It is difficult to interpret polling data about people's feelings.

The New York Times

The polling data is a bit difficult to interpret.

The New Yorker

"That's why these diabetes findings are so difficult to interpret.

The New York Times

Without these conversations, documents can be difficult to interpret.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to interpret", provide context or explain why the subject is challenging to understand. This helps the reader grasp the specific nature of the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to interpret" without specifying what makes it so. Instead of saying "The data is difficult to interpret", explain "The data is difficult to interpret due to conflicting results and a small sample size".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to interpret" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, describing the quality of being hard to understand or explain. Ludwig shows its usage across various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

42%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to interpret" is a versatile expression used to describe anything that presents a challenge in understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse fields such as science, news, and academia. When using "difficult to interpret", remember to provide adequate context to clarify the source of the difficulty. Alternatives such as "hard to understand" or "challenging to decipher" can be used to add nuance. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate complexity and ambiguity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to understand

Focuses on the challenge of comprehension, emphasizing the mental effort required.

challenging to decipher

Highlights the complexity in decoding or uncovering the meaning of something.

not easily understood

Emphasizes the lack of straightforwardness in grasping the meaning.

open to interpretation

Suggests that multiple valid understandings are possible, introducing subjectivity.

ambiguous

Indicates a lack of clarity, where the meaning is uncertain and can be understood in several ways.

vague

Describes a lack of precision or detail, making the meaning unclear.

obscure

Indicates that something is hidden or not easily discovered, leading to difficulty in understanding.

enigmatic

Highlights the mysterious and puzzling nature of something, implying a deeper, hidden meaning.

nebulous

Suggests a lack of distinct form or clarity, making interpretation challenging.

murky

Implies a clouded or unclear understanding, often due to complexity or lack of transparency.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to interpret" to describe data, results, or information that is challenging to understand or explain. For example, "The survey results were "difficult to interpret" due to the ambiguous wording of the questions".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to interpret"?

Alternatives to "difficult to interpret" include "hard to understand", "challenging to decipher", or "ambiguous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes something "difficult to interpret"?

Something can be "difficult to interpret" due to various factors, such as conflicting data, ambiguous language, complex methodologies, or a lack of context. The specific reason should be clarified when using the phrase.

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

Both "difficult to interpret" and "hard to interpret" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference, although "difficult" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "hard".