difficult to measure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to measure" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe something that is not easily quantified or assessed using a specific method or scale. For example, "The impact of the new policy on public opinion is difficult to measure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The effect proved difficult to measure.

The New Yorker

But any progress was difficult to measure.

The New York Times - Sports

Outcomes are difficult to measure.

Harvard Business Review

Ambition is fiendishly difficult to measure.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Unfortunately, parallaxes are extremely difficult to measure.

Cornell University

Corruption is, by definition, difficult to measure.

The Guardian

"Diet is notoriously difficult to measure.

The Guardian

Inequality is notoriously difficult to measure.

The Guardian

Hypothetical preferences are difficult to measure.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, both of these features are difficult to measure.

University of California, Berkeley

In practice, energy landscapes can be difficult to measure.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to measure", clearly state why the measurement is challenging. Provide context, such as limitations in available tools, inherent variability in the subject, or ethical constraints.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to measure" as a conversation ender. Even if something is hard to quantify, acknowledge potential proxy measures or qualitative indicators that can still provide valuable insights. Don't assume impossibility where ingenuity can offer solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to measure" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe a characteristic or property. It indicates that a particular attribute or outcome is not easily quantified or assessed. As Ludwig AI highlights, many sources employ this phrase to express the challenge in assigning a precise value or judgment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

23%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to measure" is a versatile phrase used to describe the challenges in quantifying or assessing various phenomena. Ludwig AI data shows it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. While the phrase itself is straightforward, its effective use requires providing specific reasons for the measurement difficulty. Related phrases such as "hard to quantify" or "challenging to assess" offer similar meanings. Remember to avoid overstating immeasurability and instead, look for alternative indicators when facing measurement hurdles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to quantify

Focuses on the difficulty of assigning a numerical value.

challenging to assess

Highlights the complexity of evaluating something accurately.

not easily quantifiable

Emphasizes the lack of straightforward methods for measurement.

elusive to quantify

Suggests that the characteristic in question is hard to catch.

imprecise to measure

Highlights the lack of precision in any potential measurements.

hard to gauge

Focuses on the difficulty of forming an accurate estimate.

resistant to measurement

Indicates an inherent quality that opposes measurement.

tough to evaluate objectively

Stresses the difficulty in achieving an unbiased assessment.

subtle and hard to discern

Emphasizes the obscurity of a characteristic.

not amenable to quantification

Highlights the incompatibility with standard quantitative methods.

FAQs

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

Use "difficult to measure" to describe something whose quantification or assessment is challenging, such as "The impact of social media campaigns is "difficult to measure" accurately."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to measure"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "hard to quantify", "challenging to assess", or "not easily quantifiable".

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

Both phrases are acceptable, but "difficult to measure" is often perceived as slightly more formal and precise. The choice depends on the tone you want to convey.

What makes something "difficult to measure"?

Factors contributing to something being "difficult to measure" include inherent variability, lack of suitable tools or metrics, ethical constraints, and the subjective nature of the phenomenon.