difficult to screen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to screen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges related to filtering or evaluating something, such as candidates for a job or information in a dataset. Example: "The large number of applicants made it difficult to screen for the most qualified candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

It makes it difficult to screen our clients or to practise safer sex.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of the characteristics of the disease itself can also make it difficult to screen.

The Guardian

This sticky mass is difficult to screen.

Drilling Fluids Processing Handbook

Even if they are using tags, it could be difficult to screen for the same item.

TechCrunch

Sporadic intermetallic problems are notoriously difficult to screen for, but at least a number of them are detectable right after assembly.

Microelectronics Reliability

However, the experimental measurement of solvation free energy is a time-consuming procedure, which makes it very difficult to screen a large chemical library from which physically or biologically active compounds can be identified.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

With this design, I was able to layer things differently and use more subtle half-tones that would be difficult to screen-print".

The Guardian - Film

Woman No. 2: "Wouldn't that be a difficult thing to screen?" The train stopped and they exited.

The New York Times

However, it remains difficult to efficiently screen the physiological substrates of protein kinases.

Plosone

One reason, he said, was that Napster faced technological hurdles that make it difficult for it to screen out copyrighted works on a wholesale basis.

The New York Times

It is difficult to distinguish screening from therapeutic applications of colonoscopy using administrative data.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult to screen", consider the specific reason for the difficulty. Providing context enhances clarity. For example, "Due to the complexity of the data, it was difficult to screen for outliers."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to screen" without specifying what makes the screening process challenging. Lack of specificity weakens the statement. Instead of saying, "It's difficult to screen", specify what aspect makes it so, such as "It's difficult to screen due to the lack of resources."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to screen" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, describing the degree of challenge associated with a screening process. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to screen" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe challenges in evaluating or filtering information, people, or items. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. This phrase frequently appears in scientific and news contexts, reflecting its descriptive nature when addressing complex procedures. When using this phrase, specificity enhances clarity; avoid overgeneralization by clearly indicating what is making the screening process challenging. Alternatives include "hard to evaluate" and "challenging to assess".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to evaluate

Replaces "screen" with "evaluate", focusing on the assessment aspect.

challenging to assess

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "screen" with "assess", emphasizing the demanding nature of the evaluation.

not easy to filter

Uses "not easy" instead of "difficult" and "filter" instead of "screen", highlighting the filtering aspect.

complicated to examine

Replaces "difficult" with "complicated" and "screen" with "examine", suggesting a complex analysis process.

problematic to identify

Emphasizes the issue of identifying something due to inherent problems.

tricky to discern

Highlights the subtlety and potential for error in distinguishing something.

laborious to sift through

Focuses on the effort required to sort through something.

cumbersome to analyze

Indicates a heavy or burdensome process of analysis.

unwieldy to inspect

Suggests that something is difficult to handle or manage during inspection.

hard to distinguish

Highlights the lack of a clear difference making it hard to tell things apart.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to screen" to describe a situation where evaluating or filtering something is challenging. For example, "It's difficult to screen applicants without clear criteria" or "The volume of data made it difficult to screen for errors."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to screen"?

Some alternatives include "hard to evaluate", "challenging to assess", or "not easy to filter". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What makes something "difficult to screen"?

Something can be "difficult to screen" due to various factors, such as a lack of clear criteria, a large volume of data, complexity, or insufficient resources.

Is "difficult to screen" formal or informal?

"Difficult to screen" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's most frequently seen in professional and academic writing. More informal options may include "hard to check" or "tough to sort through".