difficult to read between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to read between" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that something is hard to interpret or understand, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "The instructions were so vague that it was difficult to read between the lines and grasp the main idea."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Breyer provided a broad conception of federal power, and it wasn't difficult to read between the lines.

The New Yorker

"It is very difficult to read between the lines of a DSMB recommendation," he says.

Science Magazine

It is difficult to read between the lines, to know what's really going on.

Science Magazine

It's not difficult to read between the lines here: Tinder's business model succeeds among people who want to stay single.

TechCrunch

It's not difficult to read between the lines - Moldova can flirt with the EU but it needs to remember who the main power is in this part of the world.

BBC

Not difficult to read between the lines on that one.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

AggieH commented: I try to distinguish between "difficult to read because this is a woeful book" and "difficult to read because I am a woeful reader".

The Guardian - Books

Zero Dark Thirty's infelicities are much more difficult to read, as can be seen from the touching union between left and right in despising it.

The Guardian - Opinion

If a patient chart was difficult to read or interpret, consensus regarding the finding was reached between these two researchers.

BMC Infectious Diseases

The scattering of figures between main figures and supplemental figures makes it more difficult to read the paper.

eLife

He is difficult to read.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the idiomatic expression "read between the lines" to convey the meaning of understanding an implied or hidden message.

Common error

Avoid using non-idiomatic variations like "difficult to read between" as it can confuse your readers. The correct expression is "read between the lines".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to read between" is a non-standard construction attempting to describe the challenge of interpreting hidden meanings. Ludwig's analysis indicates that while the individual words are grammatically sound, their combination does not form a recognized idiomatic expression. It is best replaced with "read between the lines."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "difficult to read between" is a non-idiomatic phrase that attempts to convey the challenge of understanding hidden or implied meanings. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically questionable and not a standard expression. While examples exist across news, science, and media contexts, the correct and more widely accepted form is "read between the lines". Therefore, it is advisable to use the latter to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

infer the subtext

Focuses on deducing the underlying, unspoken message.

discern the implications

Highlights the ability to understand the consequences or effects that are not explicitly stated.

understand the unspoken

Emphasizes comprehending what is implied but not directly expressed.

grasp the nuances

Refers to understanding subtle differences or distinctions that affect meaning.

decipher the hidden meaning

Focuses on uncovering a meaning that is intentionally concealed or not immediately obvious.

interpret the underlying message

Stresses the act of explaining or understanding the fundamental message.

read between the lines

This is the correct and idiomatic version of the query.

get the drift

Implies understanding the general sense or direction of something.

fathom the subtleties

Highlights deeply understanding the finer points or delicate aspects.

comprehend the implicit

Emphasizes understanding what is suggested but not plainly expressed.

FAQs

What does "read between the lines" mean?

"Read between the lines" means to understand the hidden or implied meaning in something that is not explicitly stated.

How can I improve my ability to "read between the lines"?

Practice active listening, pay attention to non-verbal cues, and consider the context in which something is said or written. Being aware of these elements can help you "interpret the underlying message" more effectively.

What is a situation where you might need to "read between the lines"?

You might need to "read between the lines" when reviewing a contract, listening to a politician's speech, or trying to understand a friend's subtle hints about their feelings. In these situations, the explicit message may not tell the whole story.

Are there alternative ways to say "read between the lines"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "infer the subtext", "understand the unspoken", or "decipher the hidden meaning".