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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
difficult to teach
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
difficult to learn
hard to explain
hard to comprehend
hard to impart
complicated to understand
steep learning curve
difficult to ascertain
simple to learn
difficult to discover
difficult to tell
difficult to emulate
difficult to draw
tough to learn
difficult to witness
difficult to return
difficult to organize
difficult to reduce
far to learn
easy to learn
ambitious to learn
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
"It made it really difficult to teach".
News & Media
"It's actually very difficult to teach," she said.
News & Media
"It's very difficult to teach hungry children," says Musorowegomo.
News & Media
The practice of global health is difficult to teach from a US-based classroom.
Science
It is often regarded as a fuzzy concept which is difficult to teach and learn.
Moreover, these new directions are very difficult to teach, at least in the current environment.
"Forceps deliveries are very difficult to teach — much more difficult than a C-section," Bowes said.
News & Media
Further Questions for Discussion: -Do you think it would be difficult to teach others about slavery?
News & Media
She said it was difficult to teach pupils suffering the problems of living in the camp.
News & Media
It's difficult to teach English, but they're so grateful for any kind of help.
News & Media
The art of it is invisible, indefinable, difficult to teach or pass on.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
In academic writing, pairing this phrase with a specific 'why' (e.g., 'due to its abstract nature') enhances the clarity and professional tone of your argument.
Common error
Do not use "difficult to teach" as a synonym for "difficult to learn" in every context. While they are related, 'difficult to teach' focuses on the educator's pedagogical struggle, whereas 'difficult to learn' focuses on the student's cognitive load.
Source & Trust
94%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "difficult to teach" functions as an adjective followed by an infinitive complement. In this construction, the adjective 'difficult' modifies the subject of the sentence, while the infinitive 'to teach' specifies the action in which the difficulty lies. According to Ludwig, this is a standard and highly effective way to describe pedagogical challenges.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Science
30%
Academia
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
7%
Wiki
2%
Social Media
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "difficult to teach" is a versatile and grammatically robust tool for educators, researchers and journalists. Ludwig data demonstrates that it is used across a wide spectrum of disciplines—from the medical sciences describing surgical procedures to social sciences discussing empathy and ethics. The core value of the phrase lies in its ability to pinpoint the friction in the relationship between teacher, student and subject matter. When using it, remember that it specifically highlights the process of instruction. If the focus is instead on the student's struggle to grasp the concept, alternatives like "hard to comprehend" might be more appropriate. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms that this is a high-utility phrase that maintains professional credibility in any writing context.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
tricky to teach
Implies a subtle level of complexity or nuance that requires a skilled approach.
not easily taught
Uses a passive, slightly more formal negation to emphasize the inherent difficulty.
challenging to instruct
Adopts a more formal tone by using the verb 'instruct' instead of 'teach'.
hard to impart
Focuses on the transmission of wisdom or skills from one person to another.
tough to explain
Narrower in scope, focusing specifically on the verbal or conceptual clarification.
complex to convey
Highlights the intricate nature of the information being shared.
difficult to pass on
A more idiomatic way of describing the sharing of traditions or tacit knowledge.
problematic to communicate
Suggests there are specific obstacles or barriers in the exchange of information.
arduous to demonstrate
Specifically refers to the difficulty of showing a task or process physically.
demanding to educate
Suggests a high level of effort or resources required from the teacher.
FAQs
How to use "difficult to teach" in a sentence?
You can use it to describe subjects or students, such as "Creative writing is notoriously difficult to teach in a traditional classroom setting" or "Hungry children are often very difficult to teach."
What can I say instead of "difficult to teach"?
Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "tricky to impart", "challenging to convey" or "hard to instill".
Is it correct to say "difficult in teaching"?
No, if you want to describe a subject that is hard to explain, "difficult to teach" is the standard grammatical structure. "Difficulties in teaching" is a noun phrase used to describe broader professional obstacles.
What is the difference between "difficult to teach" and "hard to explain"?
While "hard to explain" focuses on the verbal transmission of an idea, "difficult to teach" encompasses the entire pedagogical process, including demonstration, practice and assessment.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
94%
Authority and reliability
4.9/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested