difficult to outline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to outline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is complex or challenging to summarize or define clearly. Example: "The project's scope is so broad that it is difficult to outline the specific objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

An evidence-based management plan with follow-up evaluations is difficult to outline because of the rarity of these tumors.

Fertility and Sterility

Thus, although the courts recognize a parody defense, the precise contours of such a defense are difficult to outline with any precision.

Harvard University

REUTERS Vickers Delay Not Universallyy Welcomed by Banks  |  Though British banks (and their share prices) largely reacted well to the news that much of what will be proposed by the Vickers' report on banking reform is not going to be implemented anytime soon, there were still some misgivings that the delay could make it difficult to outline clear strategies for growth in some of their units.

The New York Times

Tumours are generally adjacent to normal rectal wall and therefore difficult to outline on CT.

EJNMMI Research

Cultural and economic variances make it difficult to outline one single global model governing knowledge and technology transfer.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

We excluded images with patchy staining because it was difficult to outline the iERM edges.

British Journal of Ophthalmology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In explaining some of the lyrics from Awakened, Lambesis stated that his studies of theology had led him to the conclusion that "tradition and truth are often at odds with each other", and while he "didn't hate all religious belief", he was finding it "very difficult for to outline exactly who it is that's worth siding with".

Wikipedia

The physician is asked to outline typical difficult conversations with patients and to describe concrete examples.

BMC Cancer

Additionally, psychologists and rheumatologists met to decide which study information the patients should receive from the physician and to outline strategies for difficult situations, including problems with motivation and non-adherence.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Set a goal for yourself that you know will be difficult to achieve, then outline the steps it will take you to reach the goal.

WikiHow

As difficult as it may be to answer the question of what would have happened if the difficult decisions made had not been made, it is nevertheless possible to outline hypothetical scenarios.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to outline", ensure the subject you're describing is genuinely complex or lacks clear boundaries. Overusing it can make your writing seem vague or indecisive.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to outline" when simpler terms like "unclear" or "undefined" would suffice. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the inherent complexity prevents easy summarization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to outline" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, describing the degree of challenge associated with creating an outline or summary. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It indicates that the subject in question lacks clear boundaries or is inherently complex.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to outline" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe something complex and lacking clear boundaries. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not overly common, it finds appropriate application across scientific, journalistic, and academic contexts. Alternatives such as "hard to define" or "challenging to delineate" can offer similar meanings with slightly varied emphasis. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure the subject genuinely warrants such a description, avoiding overuse for simpler concepts. Ultimately, it is a valuable tool for conveying complexity with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to define

Emphasizes the challenge in establishing a clear definition.

challenging to delineate

Focuses on the difficulty in marking the boundaries or limits.

tough to summarize

Highlights the complexity in creating a brief overview.

complicated to specify

Stresses the difficulty in stating something precisely.

not easy to characterize

Emphasizes the complexity in describing the nature or qualities.

problematic to structure

Highlights the difficulty in arranging or organizing systematically.

difficult to formulate

Focuses on the challenge of creating a plan or strategy.

tricky to map out

Highlights the difficulty in planning or arranging something in detail.

unclear to articulate

Focuses on the difficulty in expressing something clearly and distinctly.

vague to conceptualize

Emphasizes the difficulty in forming a clear idea or mental image.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to outline" to describe concepts, plans, or situations that are complex and lack clear boundaries. For example, "The project's scope is so broad that it is "difficult to outline" the specific objectives."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to outline"?

Alternatives include "hard to define", "challenging to delineate", or "tough to summarize", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "difficult to outline" or "hard to outline"?

Both "difficult to outline" and "hard to outline" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Difficult" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "hard", but the choice often comes down to stylistic preference.

When is it inappropriate to use "difficult to outline"?

Avoid using "difficult to outline" when you could use a simpler, more direct term like "unclear" or "vague". Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound convoluted. Reserve it for situations with genuine complexity.