difficult to predict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to predict" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in various situations, to describe something that is hard to foresee or anticipate. Here are some examples: - The outcome of the election is difficult to predict at this point. - The behavior of wild animals can be difficult to predict. - In today's fast-changing world, future trends are difficult to predict with certainty.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's difficult to predict".

The New York Times - Sports

The psychological impact is difficult to predict.

The Economist

"It is difficult to predict her.

The New York Times

The outcome is difficult to predict.

The Economist

It's very difficult to predict".

The New York Times - Tech

"That is difficult to predict".

The New York Times

It is difficult to predict.

The Guardian - Sport

I think it's extremely difficult to predict.

The Guardian

It's astonishingly difficult to predict a winner".

The Guardian - Sport

"That is difficult to predict," he said.

The Guardian

"It's difficult to predict what will happen.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "difficult to predict" with an alternative when you are not necessarily talking about prediction. For example, consider the sentence "His medal chances are difficult to predict". A slightly more accurate and better sounding sentence may be "His medal chances are uncertain".

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "difficult to predict" in highly informal conversations might sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hard to guess" or "who knows?" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to predict" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is challenging to foresee or anticipate. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to predict" is a common and grammatically sound way to express uncertainty about future outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to consider the register and audience when choosing alternatives for informal settings. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, writers can effectively convey the challenges of foresight in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to foresee

Emphasizes the inability to see or anticipate something in advance.

tough to anticipate

Highlights the challenge in expecting or preparing for something.

unpredictable

Focuses on the lack of predictability in a situation or event.

uncertain

Indicates a lack of sureness or definiteness about what will happen.

impossible to forecast

Stresses the complete inability to make an accurate prediction.

not easily determined

Highlights the difficulty in establishing or deciding something.

remains to be seen

Suggests that the outcome is still in the future and not yet known.

the future is unclear

Focuses on the lack of clarity about what will happen in the future.

subject to chance

Emphasizes that the outcome depends on random events.

contingent on circumstances

Highlights that the outcome depends on specific conditions.

FAQs

What does "difficult to predict" mean?

The phrase "difficult to predict" means something is not easily foreseen or anticipated. It suggests a high degree of uncertainty about a future outcome or event.

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

You can use "difficult to predict" to describe situations where outcomes are uncertain, such as "The impact of the new policy is "difficult to predict"".

Are there synonyms for "difficult to predict"?

Yes, alternatives include "hard to foresee", "tough to anticipate", or simply "unpredictable".

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

Yes, "difficult to predict" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe uncertain future events or outcomes, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.