difficult to single

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to single" is not correct in English as it is incomplete and lacks context.
It could be used in a context where you are trying to express that something is hard to identify or isolate among others. Example: "In a crowd of talented musicians, it is difficult to single out the best performer."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's difficult to single anybody out individually.

The Guardian - Sport

Among other challenges, the missing are difficult to single out.

The New York Times

I find it very difficult to single out one person in my mind.

The Guardian

It is very difficult to single out any payer for credit.

The Guardian - Sport

It's difficult to single out [individuals] – I feel offensively and defensively we were not convincing tonight.

Independent

At the risk of being terribly even-handed, it's difficult to single out places that are the most inspiring.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. is difficult to single-block, which makes it easier for linebackers Christian Jones, Terrance Smith and Telvin Smith to pressure the opponent.

The New York Times - Sports

Except for gender, no other socio-demographic characteristic identified high-risk sub-populations, making it difficult to single-out at-risk groups for prevention and indicating preventive strategies should be widespread.

BMC Public Health

Nevertheless, the large standard deviation makes it difficult to interpret single case values in clinical practice.

Annals of Intensive Care

This variability makes it difficult to construct single mutant libraries and to complete whole-genome screening in these strains.

AMB Express

However, it is very difficult to achieve single CNT growth between source and drain electrodes in experiment.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve clarity, consider replacing "difficult to single" with more specific alternatives like "hard to isolate", "challenging to pinpoint", or "tough to distinguish", depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to single" without a clear object or context. Vague sentences like "It is difficult to single" lack specific meaning and can confuse the reader. Always specify what is difficult to single out.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to single" functions as a descriptor, typically modifying an implicit or explicit object. It conveys the challenge in isolating or identifying a particular element from a set. Ludwig shows it's often used where discernment is complicated by numerous factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to single" is frequently employed across various domains, including news, science, and formal business. Ludwig AI suggests it's an acceptable way to express the challenge of isolating or identifying something specific. While grammatically sound, ensuring a clear object or context enhances its effectiveness. Ludwig provides numerous examples from reputable sources, demonstrating its widespread use. Consider alternatives like "hard to isolate", "challenging to pinpoint", and "tough to distinguish" to add precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to isolate

Emphasizes the challenge of separating something from its surroundings or context.

challenging to pinpoint

Highlights the difficulty in identifying something with precision.

tough to distinguish

Focuses on the problem of differentiating something from similar items.

not easy to identify

A straightforward way of expressing the difficulty in recognizing something.

complicated to isolate

Similar to 'hard to isolate' but suggests a more intricate challenge.

problematic to discern

Highlights the difficulty in perceiving or understanding something clearly.

difficult to differentiate

Focuses on the struggle to see the difference from one another.

not straightforward to determine

Suggests that the determination process is not simple or easy.

hard to pick out

Emphasizes the difficulty of selecting something from a group.

tough to segregate

Highlights the difficulty in keep it separate.

FAQs

What does "difficult to single" mean?

The phrase "difficult to single" generally means something is hard to isolate, identify, or distinguish from a group or set of possibilities. It implies a challenge in picking out one specific item or reason.

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

You can use it to express the challenge of identifying a specific element. For example, "It's difficult to single out the most effective strategy" or "Given the evidence, it's difficult to single out any one thing as the cause."

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

You can use alternatives like "hard to isolate", "challenging to pinpoint", or "tough to distinguish" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "difficult to single"?

While commonly used, especially in journalistic and scientific contexts, "difficult to single" may sound incomplete without a specified object (e.g., "difficult to single out a reason"). For greater clarity, consider adding 'out' or choosing alternatives that are more precise.