difficult to say

USAGE SUMMARY

'difficult to say' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to show something is uncertain or hard to express, for example: "It is difficult to say if the new policy will be successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Very difficult to say.

The New Yorker

That's difficult to say.

Independent

Difficult to say.

The Economist

It's very difficult to say".

The New York Times - Sports

It was difficult to say.

Independent

Well, this difficult to say.

University of California, Berkeley

"It is difficult to say," he said.

The New York Times

It's difficult to say," he added.

The New York Times

"It is very difficult to say.

The New York Times

Whether it did is difficult to say.

The New Yorker

It is difficult to say with certainty.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to say" when you want to express uncertainty or the complexity of providing a definitive answer. It's suitable for situations where you lack sufficient information or the outcome is contingent on various factors.

Common error

While "difficult to say" is a useful expression, avoid relying on it excessively. Vary your language by using alternatives like "it's hard to tell" or "it remains to be seen" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to say" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying an implied verb (like 'is' or 'would be'). It expresses a subjective assessment of the challenge or impossibility of making a statement or prediction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to say" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty, ambiguity, or a lack of definitive knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and widely used in written English. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science. To enhance your writing, avoid overusing it and explore alternative phrases like "hard to tell" or "it's uncertain". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "difficult to say" while maintaining clarity and variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's hard to tell

Replaces "difficult" with "hard", offering a more informal tone.

it's tough to say

Uses "tough" instead of "difficult", maintaining a similar level of uncertainty.

it's uncertain

Focuses on the uncertainty itself, rather than the difficulty in expressing it.

it's hard to know

Shifts the focus from saying to knowing, emphasizing a lack of information.

it's impossible to predict

Highlights the unpredictability of a situation.

it remains to be seen

Indicates that the outcome is still unknown and will become clear in the future.

one cannot say for sure

Emphasizes the lack of certainty and definitive knowledge.

the answer is not clear

Directly states that the answer is ambiguous or unknown.

it's debatable

Suggests that there are differing opinions and no definitive answer.

it's anyone's guess

Implies that the outcome is entirely speculative and unpredictable.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to say" to express uncertainty or the complexity of giving a definite answer. For example, "It's "difficult to say" when the project will be completed."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to say"?

Alternatives include "hard to tell", "it's uncertain", or "it remains to be seen", depending on the specific context.

Is "difficult to say" formal or informal?

"Difficult to say" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The suitability depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing.

What does it mean when someone says "it's difficult to say"?

When someone says "it's "difficult to say"", they are indicating that they are unsure of the answer or that the situation is too complex to provide a simple, straightforward response.