difficult to segregate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to segregate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is hard to separate or distinguish from other elements or categories. Example: "In complex ecosystems, it is often difficult to segregate the impact of one species from another."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In fact, it is difficult to segregate the print of truly folk character from the voluminous field of either "popular" or commercial printing.

Britannica

Ms. Rosenbloom said the layout of the two cell blocks on the barge would make it difficult to segregate newly arrested children from convicted youths awaiting transfer.

The New York Times

Scenario 3 consists of the basic coolant mixed with 10% oil and around 10 g of ferrous material chips in near-powdered form [19]. Generally the effluent waste from a grinding machine includes minute particles of iron and worn-out or burnt-out abrasives from the wheel, which are difficult to segregate from the used coolant.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Getting to your cubicle and officially starting work actually gets work started- but when you are working out of home or a cafe or the beach- it becomes exceedingly difficult to segregate work hours from 'other' hours.

Huffington Post

With increasing mechanisation and adoption of technology into many occupations, it has become more difficult to segregate manual from non-manual occupations.

BMJ Open

These observations suggest an under-appreciated overlap between NPHP gene functions in motile cilia with that of PCD genes in immotile cilia, which makes it difficult to segregate flow generating and flow sensing roles of protonephridial cilia.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Although this review will concentrate on the two novels that are most recently available, it is difficult, with Marías, to segregate any single work from the others.

The New York Times - Books

In high humidity, however, it is difficult for a-ZnO NBs to segregate from the moisture solution, which means that the Zn2+ ion concentration in moisture solution is not high enough to meet the condition of saturation forming a-ZnO NBs.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Since the CMUs have 1,000 to 1,200 percent more Muslim inmates than the federal prison average, it is difficult to ignore the idea that the CMUs might have been created to segregate and restrict Muslim prisoners, whom the Bureau of Prisons saw as a greater security risk than non-Muslim prisoners.

Vice

He thinks this brings a lack of clarity, that such labels act to segregate politicians and make finding solutions to practical problems more difficult.

The Guardian - Opinion

Athletes tend to segregate themselves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the subtle nuances of alternatives like "hard to distinguish" or "challenging to separate" to choose the most accurate descriptor for your situation.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to segregate" in simple scenarios where a more direct phrase like "hard to separate" would suffice. Overly formal language can diminish the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to segregate" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun. It indicates that something is challenging to divide, differentiate, or keep separate. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to segregate" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the challenge of distinguishing or separating elements. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the phrase sees common use in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. While precise alternatives like "hard to distinguish" or "challenging to separate" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. When deploying "difficult to segregate", clarity and conciseness are crucial; avoid overuse in simple contexts and ensure that what is proving difficult to separate is clearly defined. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, the phrase finds application across diverse domains, making it a versatile addition to your linguistic toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to distinguish

Focuses on the challenge of perceiving a clear difference.

challenging to separate

Highlights the difficulty in physically or conceptually dividing something.

tough to differentiate

Emphasizes the struggle to identify distinct qualities.

not easily isolated

Stresses the inability to set something apart from its surroundings.

complicated to disentangle

Implies a complex interweaving that makes separation problematic.

problematic to compartmentalize

Highlights issues of not being able to split up into categories

not straightforward to isolate

Adds an element of simplicity to the difficulty of isolation.

not simple to discriminate

Underscores the absence of an easy way to tell things apart.

presents a segregation challenge

Rephrases the difficulty as a problem of segregation itself.

poses separation obstacles

Highlights the obstacles involved in the act of separating.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to segregate" to describe things that are hard to tell apart. For example: "It is often difficult to segregate correlation from causation".

What can I say instead of "difficult to segregate"?

Alternatives include "hard to distinguish", "challenging to separate", or "tough to differentiate", depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

Which is correct: "difficult to segregate" or "difficult to be segregated"?

"Difficult to segregate" is generally the correct and more concise phrasing. "Difficult to be segregated" implies a passive construction that is less common and often unnecessary.

What's the difference between "difficult to segregate" and "difficult to separate"?

While similar, "difficult to segregate" often suggests a more systematic or analytical challenge in distinguishing elements, whereas "difficult to separate" implies a broader challenge in dividing or setting things apart physically or conceptually.