difficult to recognize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to recognize" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is hard to identify or distinguish. Example: "The changes made to the building were so extensive that it became difficult to recognize its original structure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He cycles through eight pairs of eyeglasses to make himself more difficult to recognize.

The New York Times

"They are very difficult to recognize".

The New York Times

It's getting more difficult to recognize addicts, he said.

The Guardian

He is not difficult to recognize," he added.

The New York Times

But why is it so difficult to recognize this?

The New York Times - Arts

ATTENTION SPAN -- Sometimes it is difficult to recognize that you aren't concentrating.

The New York Times

It's not difficult to recognize the cruel irony of Emma's situation.

The New Yorker

It's much more difficult to recognize these things from the inside.

The New Yorker

Thus, small patches are difficult to recognize in the waveforms.

Earth, Planets and Space

For human, it is not so difficult to recognize people in many conditions.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Intra-peritoneal blood clot usually appears hyperechoic and sometimes isoechoic, which makes it difficult to recognize.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to recognize", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the difficulty in recognition. Be specific about the object or concept being recognized and the factors contributing to the challenge.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who is having difficulty recognizing. Instead of "It is difficult to recognize...", consider "Researchers find it difficult to recognize..." for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to recognize" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something challenging to identify. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to recognize" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is challenging to identify or distinguish. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related content. While the phrase is versatile, consider the specific nuances of alternatives like "hard to identify" or "challenging to discern" for greater precision. To enhance clarity, avoid overuse of the passive voice and ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the recognition difficult.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to identify

Emphasizes the challenge in pinpointing or establishing the identity of something.

challenging to discern

Highlights the difficulty in perceiving or understanding something clearly.

not easily noticeable

Focuses on the lack of immediate visibility or detectability.

tough to make out

Suggests a struggle to clearly perceive or distinguish something.

obscure to perceive

Indicates that something is vague or unclear to the senses.

subtle and indistinct

Highlights the faintness and lack of clarity in something's characteristics.

imperceptible at first glance

Emphasizes that something is not immediately apparent or obvious.

evasive to detect

Indicates that something actively avoids being noticed or discovered.

requires close scrutiny to identify

Highlights the need for careful and detailed examination to recognize something.

indistinguishable without context

Indicates that something cannot be recognized separately, but in a specific situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to recognize" to describe something that is hard to identify or distinguish, for example: "The symptoms of the disease are often "difficult to recognize" in early stages."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to recognize"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to identify", "challenging to discern", or "not easily noticeable" depending on the context.

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

Both "difficult to recognize" and "hard to recognize" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference and the desired tone of your writing.

What makes something "difficult to recognize"?

Something can be "difficult to recognize" due to various factors such as poor visibility, subtle differences, camouflage, disguise, or a lack of familiarity with the subject. The specific reason will depend on the context.