difficult to judge

USAGE SUMMARY

"difficult to judge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express that something is complicated or hard to determine or decide. For example: "The performance of the stock market is difficult to judge this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was difficult to judge.

Independent

"It's difficult to judge," Shevchenko said.

The New York Times - Sports

"So it is difficult to judge.

The New York Times

It is quite difficult to judge.

Independent

The potential harm is difficult to judge.

The New York Times

"So it's very difficult to judge.

The New York Times - Sports

That, too, is difficult to judge.

The New Yorker

"But it is difficult to judge.

The Guardian - Arts

The extent of the threat is difficult to judge.

The New York Times

It was difficult to judge form in Saturday night's conditions.

The New York Times - Sports

Circumstances made it difficult to judge the performance itself.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to judge", provide context to explain why the judgment is challenging. This adds clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to judge" as a blanket statement without providing specific reasons. Instead, offer insights into the factors contributing to the uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to judge" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is not easily assessed or evaluated. It indicates a degree of uncertainty or complexity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to judge" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to articulate the complexities and uncertainties inherent in evaluations. It acts as an adjectival phrase, highlighting the challenges in forming clear assessments and is grammatically correct according to Ludwig. Its prevalence across diverse sources like news, science, and business showcases its adaptability. When using "difficult to judge", ensure to provide adequate context to clarify the reasons behind the uncertainty, thus avoiding ambiguity and enhancing the clarity of your communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase "difficult to judge" is indeed correct and usable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to assess

Emphasizes the challenge in evaluating something effectively.

challenging to determine

Highlights the complexity involved in arriving at a decision or conclusion.

not easy to evaluate

Suggests that the evaluation process requires significant effort and consideration.

tough to call

Implies that the situation is finely balanced and a clear decision is elusive.

tricky to ascertain

Focuses on the subtle and potentially misleading aspects that make judgment complicated.

problematic to discern

Indicates that there are significant obstacles in understanding or perceiving something clearly.

not straightforward to decide

Implies a process involving multiple factors and potential complications.

requires careful consideration

Highlights the need for thorough examination before a judgement can be made.

subjective to interpretation

Indicates a lack of standardization and possibility of multiple valid opinions.

open to debate

Emphasizes the lack of consensus surrounding a definitive assessment.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to judge" when expressing uncertainty or complexity in making a determination. For example, "The impact of the new policy is "difficult to judge" without more data".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to judge"?

Alternatives include "hard to assess", "challenging to determine", or "not easy to evaluate", depending on the context.

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

Both "difficult to judge" and "hard to judge" are acceptable, though "difficult" may sound slightly more formal. The choice often depends on the desired tone and audience.

What does it mean when something is "difficult to judge"?

When something is "difficult to judge", it means there are complexities or uncertainties that make it hard to form a clear or accurate opinion or assessment.