difficult to reconcile with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to reconcile with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing conflicting ideas, beliefs, or situations that are hard to bring into agreement or harmony. Example: "The findings of the study are difficult to reconcile with previous research that suggested a different outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This effect is difficult to reconcile with Keynesian theory".

The New York Times

That view is difficult to reconcile with the wording and the purpose of those provisions.

Harvard University

This theory, too, is increasingly difficult to reconcile with recent evidence.

The New York Times

These features are difficult to reconcile with the simultaneous presence of nucleosomes at the PRE.

Molecular Cell

Glitzy online lectures, or fancy learning technologies, are difficult to reconcile with this fundamental scepticism.

The Guardian

It has also been difficult to reconcile with other principles, especially those advocating equal retribution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This result is difficult to reconcile with Keynesian characterizations of the labor market.

The New York Times

A misty-eyed patriotism is difficult to reconcile with anti-government radicalism.

The Washington Post

I turn now to the Court's justifications for a decision difficult to reconcile with the Copyright Act's text and history.

Harvard University

However, serial sampling of voxels has been difficult to reconcile with millisecond timescales characteristic of neuronal activity.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

The results of this study were difficult to reconcile with the bioturbation theory of stone line formation.

Geomorphology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to reconcile with", ensure that the two elements being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example: "His actions are difficult to reconcile with his stated beliefs."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to reconcile with" when simply describing a preference or dislike. This phrase implies a deeper incompatibility that requires resolution, not just a difference in taste.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to reconcile with" functions as an adjective phrase that describes something as challenging to bring into agreement or harmony with something else. Ludwig AI indicates that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

28%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to reconcile with" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that serves to highlight the incompatibility or inconsistency between two or more elements. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is very useful and accurate. It is prevalent in scientific, news, and academic contexts, indicating its role in formal discourse. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly define the elements being compared to prevent ambiguity and to use it appropriately in situations where a genuine conflict or discrepancy exists, rather than a simple difference in preference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to reconcile

Shorter version of the original phrase, omitting "with".

hard to align with

Emphasizes a lack of agreement or coordination.

challenging to harmonize with

Highlights the difficulty in creating a consistent or pleasing combination.

difficult to make consistent with

Highlights the effort needed to find agreement.

not easy to square with

Focuses on the problem of making something consistent or compatible.

inconsistent with

Directly states a contradiction or lack of conformity.

at odds with

Indicates direct conflict or opposition.

not in keeping with

Indicates a deviation from established norms or expectations.

difficult to bring into accord with

Highlights the struggle to reach an agreement or alignment.

irreconcilable with

Emphasizes the impossibility of finding agreement or harmony.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to reconcile with" in a sentence?

Use "difficult to reconcile with" to express that two things are hard to bring into agreement or harmony. Example: "The witness's testimony is "difficult to reconcile with" the physical evidence."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to reconcile with"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to align with", "challenging to harmonize with", or "inconsistent with" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "difficult to reconcile to" instead of "difficult to reconcile with"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "with". Saying "difficult to reconcile to" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What is the difference between "difficult to reconcile with" and "at odds with"?

"Difficult to reconcile with" suggests a challenge in finding agreement, while "at odds with" implies a direct conflict or opposition. The former is a milder form of disagreement than the latter.