difficult to learn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to learn" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you need to describe something that is hard to learn. Example: Spanish grammar is often difficult to learn.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Terribly difficult to learn.

The Guardian

It's fiendishly difficult to learn, Hawkins admits.

Independent

"German was not difficult to learn.

The New York Times

It is very difficult to learn.

The New York Times - Arts

And it is difficult to learn.

The New York Times - Tech

"It is not very difficult to learn.

The New York Times - Health

That can make it difficult to learn to surf.

The New York Times

"Is it difficult to learn?" "Yes, it's difficult.

The New Yorker

People perceive it as being difficult to learn.

The Guardian

It's daft – very entertaining, but bloody difficult to learn.

The Guardian

It does make it difficult to learn, however.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the difficulty of learning something, specify the aspect that makes it challenging. Instead of just saying "It's difficult to learn", clarify: "The pronunciation is difficult to learn" or "The theoretical concepts are difficult to learn".

Common error

Avoid broad statements about difficulty without context. For instance, instead of saying "Mathematics is difficult to learn", acknowledge that certain areas, like calculus or abstract algebra, may present unique challenges compared to other mathematical fields.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to learn" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its learnability. It expresses the degree of effort or challenge involved in acquiring knowledge or skill. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is commonly used to indicate something is not easy to understand or master.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to learn" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe the challenging aspects of acquiring knowledge or skills. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Analysis reveals its function as an adjective phrase with a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, from News & Media to scientific publications. Understanding its nuances and considering related phrases like "hard to master" or "challenging to pick up" can enhance clarity and precision in writing. To avoid overgeneralizations, specify which aspect of the subject is "difficult to learn". Overall, mastering the effective use of the phrase "difficult to learn" contributes to clear and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to master

Emphasizes the effort required to gain proficiency, focusing on the mastery aspect of learning.

challenging to pick up

Focuses on the initial stage of learning, highlighting the difficulty in acquiring basic understanding or skill.

not easy to grasp

Indicates difficulty in understanding or comprehending something, rather than the entire learning process.

complicated to understand

Highlights the complexity that makes something hard to learn, focusing on comprehension.

takes time to learn

Emphasizes the duration and patience required in learning, rather than inherent difficulty.

requires effort to learn

Highlights the active engagement and exertion needed for effective learning.

demands dedication to learn

Underscores the commitment and perseverance necessary for successful learning.

steep learning curve

Idiomatic expression indicating a rapid but challenging initial learning process.

presents a learning obstacle

Frames the learning process as encountering an obstacle or barrier.

not immediately obvious

Implies that the concepts or skills are not readily apparent, thus requiring deeper investigation to learn.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to learn" to describe a subject, skill, or concept that requires significant effort and time to understand or master. For example, "Quantum physics is "difficult to learn" without a strong foundation in mathematics."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to learn"?

Alternatives include "hard to master", "challenging to pick up", or "not easy to grasp", depending on the specific aspect of difficulty you want to emphasize.

Which is correct: "difficult to learn" or "hard to learn"?

Both "difficult to learn" and "hard to learn" are correct and commonly used. "Difficult" is slightly more formal, while "hard" is more informal.

What makes something "difficult to learn"?

Something might be "difficult to learn" due to its complexity, abstract nature, lack of clear instruction, or the need for prior knowledge. Individual learning styles and aptitudes also play a significant role.