difficult to suggest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to suggest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that making a recommendation or proposal is challenging due to various factors. Example: "Given the complexity of the situation, it is difficult to suggest a clear course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Suzanne Burden as La Presidente seems to find it difficult to suggest rigid marital virtue under seige, or to make her fall from grace sufficiently horrifying.

The Guardian

He argued that it was hard to make a case that unmanned aircraft were inherently illegal: "It is difficult to suggest that a weapon system is unlawful because a pilot is not on board".

The Guardian

That mean-spirited sentence is an indication of how even in a US angry and rueful about Iraq, it is still difficult to suggest that Iran has arguments and interests worth considering on their merits.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Decades after the conference, with the benefit of hindsight, new archival findings, and tons of research, it is still very difficult to suggest any practical alternative to the course that they took," Plokhy says of Churchill and F.D.R.

The New Yorker

"Politically, it's just very difficult to suggest using the earnings from the Permanent Fund for anything other than the dividends," said Prof. Scott Goldsmith of the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska here.

The New York Times

Due to the large uncertainties, it is difficult to suggest options other than to choose ones that are "win-win" — those that will bring benefits no matter how the climate changes in India.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Without a review of the lease, it would be difficult and imprudent to suggest a course of action," Mr. Gulielmetti said.

The New York Times

They said the actions of the judge, Thomas Penfield Jackson, had made it more difficult for Microsoft to suggest that the computer industry ought to be given more leeway than traditional businesses under antitrust law.

The New York Times

It then becomes difficult for someone to suggest the correct doctor for the person they are concerned about or even discuss the concern with a medical professional.

Huffington Post

The rule is clear that the ball cannot bounce during the service motion, but it would be arbitrary, and difficult to enforce, to suggest that the point of contact must be above the shoulder.

Huffington Post

The White House's decision ameliorated the potential for a "red state/blue state" shouting match over this case, and made it more difficult for some to suggest that Town of Greece is some advance toward an intolerant "Christian America" zealotry.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to suggest", ensure the context clearly explains why the suggestion is challenging. Provide the reasons or complexities that make it so.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to suggest" as a standalone statement. Always explain why it's difficult to make a suggestion. Vague statements weaken your argument and leave the reader questioning your reasoning. For instance, instead of saying "It's difficult to suggest a solution", specify "It's difficult to suggest a solution due to the limited data available."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to suggest" functions as an infinitive phrase. It expresses a state of affairs where proposing a recommendation or solution is challenging. Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts where uncertainties or complexities hinder the ease of making suggestions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to suggest" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the challenge of making a recommendation or proposal. It is frequently used in science, news, and encyclopedic contexts, as indicated by Ludwig's examples. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms the phrase's validity and usability. When employing this phrase, ensure to provide sufficient context to clarify why the suggestion is challenging. Alternatives like "hard to recommend" or "challenging to propose" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to recommend

Replaces "difficult" with "hard", a synonym, to indicate a lack of ease in making a recommendation.

challenging to propose

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "suggest" with "propose", emphasizing the demanding nature of the task.

tough to put forth

Uses "tough" instead of "difficult" and "put forth" instead of "suggest" to convey a similar meaning.

not easy to put forward

Uses a more descriptive expression to convey the difficulty in presenting an idea.

not straightforward to offer

Emphasizes the lack of simplicity in offering a suggestion.

complicated to advise

Focuses on the complexity involved in giving advice, highlighting the intricate nature of the suggestion.

problematic to advocate

Highlights the potential issues in advocating for a particular course of action.

presents difficulties in recommending

Highlights the obstacles encountered when attempting to recommend something.

requires careful consideration to recommend

Shifts the focus to the need for thorough evaluation before making a recommendation.

awkward to suggest

Conveys a sense of unease or discomfort in making a suggestion.

FAQs

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

Use "difficult to suggest" when expressing that making a recommendation or proposal is challenging due to certain factors. For example, "Given the lack of evidence, it is difficult to suggest a specific treatment plan."

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

You can use alternatives like "hard to recommend", "challenging to propose", or "not easy to put forward" depending on the context.

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

Both "difficult to suggest" and "hard to suggest" are grammatically correct. "Difficult" may sound slightly more formal than "hard", but they are largely interchangeable.

What's the nuance between "difficult to suggest" and "impossible to suggest"?

"Difficult to suggest" implies that a suggestion is challenging but potentially possible. "Impossible to suggest", on the other hand, indicates that a suggestion is entirely out of the question due to insurmountable obstacles.