difficult to learn to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to learn to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the challenges associated with acquiring a new skill or knowledge. Example: "Many people find it difficult to learn to play a musical instrument without proper guidance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

That can make it difficult to learn to surf.

The New York Times

They provide better support than canes but are more difficult to learn to use.

Harvard University

It is incompatible with spoken or written English, making it difficult to learn to read and write.

The New York Times

It is much more difficult to learn to tolerate those with whom we disagree and who espouse ideas we find preposterous, repugnant, or even dangerous.

Princeton University

Echography is a useful tool to diagnose a thrombosis; however, since it is difficult to learn to perform this procedure, the objective of this work is to create a simulation to allow students to practice in a virtual environment.

Medical Image Analysis

This may or may not hold true for hand-thrown spears, which appear to require not only greater power to launch but are potentially more difficult to learn to reliably hit a target than spearthrower darts and arrows.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

An editor for The Miami Herald described it as a difficult game to learn to play, but felt it was worth dedicating the time.

Wikipedia

A professor argues explores why it is difficult for researchers to learn to talk to peers from other areas of academia.

Stanford University

It was difficult for me to learn to use my left brain.

Forbes

The interface was difficult for me to learn to use, but now that I have I have confidence that I could easily make more movies using the tool.

TechCrunch

Attewell (1992) derived factors from an organizational learning perspective and suggested that it is difficult for organizations to learn to use complex technologies, and thus this creates an organizational learning burden that can inhibit the adoption of these technologies.

Visualization in Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the complexity of acquiring a new skill, use "difficult to learn to" followed by a specific action verb to provide clarity, for example, "difficult to learn to surf".

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to learn to" without specifying what is difficult. The phrase is more effective when the object of learning is clearly stated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to learn to" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase that modifies a subsequent verb, indicating that a particular skill or activity is challenging to acquire. Ludwig provides examples showing it's used to describe diverse learning challenges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to learn to" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for conveying the challenges associated with acquiring a new skill or knowledge. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's crucial to provide specific context by clearly stating what is difficult to learn, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The phrase appears across various domains, including news, science, and academia, but is overall considered an uncommon construction. For increased clarity and impact, consider alternatives like "hard to master" or "challenging to grasp" based on the specific context. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate the complexities of learning in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to master

Emphasizes the difficulty in achieving proficiency or expertise.

challenging to grasp

Highlights the intellectual effort required for comprehension.

not easy to pick up

Focuses on the initial stages of learning and the effort involved in starting.

presents a steep learning curve

Indicates a rapid increase in difficulty at the beginning of the learning process.

requires significant effort to learn

Stresses the amount of energy and work needed for learning.

demands considerable practice

Underlines the necessity of repeated exercise for skill acquisition.

not straightforward to learn

Highlights the lack of simplicity and directness in the learning process.

complicated to acquire

Focuses on the complexity of the subject matter itself.

laborious to become proficient in

Emphasizes the hard work required to become skilled.

takes time and dedication to learn

Stresses the time commitment and personal investment needed.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to learn to" to describe something that requires significant effort to master. For example, "It's "difficult to learn to play the guitar" without proper instruction."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to learn to"?

Some alternatives include "hard to master", "challenging to grasp", or "not easy to pick up", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "difficult to learn to"?

Yes, "difficult to learn to" is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig.

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

Both phrases can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Difficult to learn" is more general, while "difficult to learn to" often implies learning a specific action or skill. For example, "difficult to learn" can mean "the subject is hard", while "difficult to learn to" might mean "difficult to learn to ride a bike".