difficult to read

USAGE SUMMARY

"difficult to read" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is not easy to understand. For example: "The professor's lecture was so complex and full of technical terms that it was difficult to read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's too difficult to read.

The New Yorker

Violent protests are inherently difficult to read.

The Economist

"She was very difficult to read.

The Guardian - Film

I found it very difficult to read.

The New Yorker

Dimmed lighting makes menus difficult to read.

The New York Times

This makes his book difficult to read.

The New York Times - Books

The overstuffed sentence is difficult to read.

The New York Times

Your article was difficult to read!

The New Yorker

Detail was often difficult to read.

The New York Times

He is difficult to read.

The Guardian

Proust is very difficult to read.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing text, consider whether the difficulty arises from physical attributes (font size, clarity) or content complexity. Use "difficult to read" for physical attributes and "difficult to understand" for complexity.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when describing why something is "difficult to read". Instead of saying "The report was made difficult to read by excessive jargon", say "Excessive jargon made the report difficult to read".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to read" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes a quality of something, indicating that it presents challenges to the reader. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to read" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that presents challenges to a reader, whether due to physical attributes or complex content. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While the phrase is generally neutral, context dictates whether more formal alternatives might be appropriate. When writing, consider specifying the exact reasons why something is "difficult to read" to ensure clarity. Avoid overusing the passive voice, and make sure your writing choices reflect the specific challenges to the reader in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not easily understandable

A more formal way of expressing difficulty in understanding, suitable for professional settings.

challenging to understand

Emphasizes the cognitive effort required to grasp the meaning, applicable to abstract concepts.

hard to decipher

Focuses on the challenge of understanding something obscure or poorly presented, not just reading difficulties.

complex to interpret

Indicates the need for specialized knowledge or skills to correctly understand the subject matter.

obscure to comprehend

Highlights the lack of clarity and straightforwardness in understanding.

unclear in its meaning

Focuses on the ambiguity and lack of directness in the message or content.

tough to make out

Implies difficulty in visually distinguishing or understanding something due to poor conditions or presentation.

presents comprehension issues

Highlights the problems or obstacles that affect the ability to understand.

impenetrable to follow

Suggests a lack of logical flow or coherence, making it hard to keep up with.

offers limited readability

Focuses on the presentation quality, suggesting that the layout or formatting hinders easy reading.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to read" to describe something that is not easy to understand or decipher. For example: "The small font size made the document "difficult to read"" or "His handwriting was so messy that it was "difficult to read"".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to read"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "hard to decipher", "challenging to understand", or "obscure to comprehend".

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

Both "difficult to read" and "hard to read" are acceptable, with little difference in meaning. "Difficult" is slightly more formal, while "hard" is more informal.

What makes something "difficult to read"?

Something can be "difficult to read" due to various factors, such as poor handwriting, small font size, low contrast, complex sentence structures, or the use of jargon.