difficult to see

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to see" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is hard to perceive or notice, often due to poor visibility or complexity. Example: "The details of the painting were difficult to see in the dim light of the gallery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is difficult to see them.

The New York Times

It was not difficult to see why.

Independent

This is not difficult to see.

University of California, Berkeley

Porpoises are more difficult to see.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's difficult to see," he said.

The New York Times

It is not difficult to see why.

The New York Times - Books

Today it is difficult to see why.

The New York Times - Arts

And it's not difficult to see why.

The Guardian

It wasn't difficult to see why.

The New York Times - Travel

It is relatively difficult to see it.

The Guardian

But, again, it's difficult to see how.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to see" when describing visual obstructions, subtle details, or abstract concepts that are hard to grasp. For example, "The path ahead was difficult to see through the dense fog."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to see" for things that are simply far away or require minimal effort to perceive. Opt for simpler language like "hard to see" or "not visible" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to see" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, typically describing something that presents a challenge to visual perception or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to see" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe challenges in both visual perception and conceptual understanding. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples reveals it is most commonly found in news and media, science, and academic contexts, indicating its broad applicability across various writing styles. Alternatives like "hard to perceive" or "not easy to discern" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings, depending on the specific context. While the phrase is generally appropriate, it's best to avoid overuse in overly simple situations where clearer, more direct language suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to perceive

Focuses on the challenge in perceiving something, emphasizing the sensory aspect.

not easy to discern

Emphasizes the difficulty in distinguishing or recognizing something clearly.

obscure to view

Highlights the lack of clarity or visibility, suggesting something is hidden or unclear.

challenging to make out

Emphasizes the effort required to distinguish something from its surroundings.

tough to visualize

Focuses on the difficulty in forming a mental image or understanding something conceptually.

imperceptible to the eye

Highlights that something cannot be easily seen or noticed, emphasizing its subtlety.

vague to observe

Emphasizes the lack of clarity when trying to observe something.

ambiguous to spot

Focuses on the difficulty of identifying something due to its unclear nature.

indistinct to perceive

Highlights the lack of clear boundaries or features, making perception difficult.

elusive to detect

Emphasizes the difficulty in finding or noticing something, suggesting it is fleeting or hard to capture.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to see" to describe something that is hard to perceive visually or understand conceptually. For example, "The details of the painting were difficult to see in the dim light" or "It's "difficult to see how" this plan will succeed".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to see"?

Alternatives include "hard to perceive", "not easy to discern", or "obscure to view", depending on the context.

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

Both "difficult to see" and "hard to see" are correct, but "difficult to see" might imply a greater degree of challenge or complexity. "Hard to see" is generally more informal and direct, while "difficult to see" can sound more formal or technical.

What does it mean when something is described as "difficult to see"?

When something is "difficult to see", it means that it requires significant effort or specific conditions to perceive it clearly, whether due to visual obstructions, subtle characteristics, or abstract qualities. The phrase can be used literally or metaphorically.