difficult to tell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to tell" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing uncertainty or ambiguity about a situation or information. Example: "It's difficult to tell whether the project will be completed on time given the current delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Difficult to tell.

The Economist

"It's really difficult to tell".

The New York Times

Difficult to tell exact situation.

The New York Times

It wasn't difficult to tell.

The New Yorker

That's difficult to tell.

Princeton University

It is extremely difficult to tell.

The New York Times - Arts

It was difficult to tell.

The Guardian - Books

It's still difficult to tell.

The Guardian - Sport

"But it's difficult to tell now when".

The New York Times

Often it's difficult to tell the difference.

The New York Times

"It's never difficult to tell the truth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the degree of uncertainty you want to convey. Alternatives like "impossible to know" suggest a stronger level of uncertainty than "hard to say".

Common error

While "difficult to tell" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "hard to determine" or "challenging to assess" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to tell" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, serving to express the degree of ease or difficulty in ascertaining something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to tell" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express uncertainty or ambiguity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules. It finds frequent use in news, academic, and scientific contexts, and is generally considered to have a neutral register. While acceptable in most situations, more precise language may be preferable in highly formal writing. Alternatives like "hard to say" or "not easy to determine" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase appears in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to say

This alternative uses "hard" instead of "difficult", making it a more informal synonym.

not easy to determine

This phrase replaces "difficult" with "not easy" and "tell" with "determine", offering a slightly more formal tone.

it's uncertain

This alternative shifts the structure to focus on the uncertainty itself, rather than the act of discerning.

it's unclear

This option uses "unclear" to emphasize the lack of clarity, a common reason why something is difficult to tell.

hard to discern

Using "discern" in place of "tell" makes the phrase slightly more formal and precise.

difficult to ascertain

Substituting "ascertain" for "tell" elevates the formality and suggests a more rigorous effort to find out.

remains to be seen

This phrase indicates that the outcome or truth is still in the future and not yet knowable.

impossible to know

This alternative conveys a stronger sense of impossibility in determining something.

beyond comprehension

This phrase suggests that the matter is not only difficult to tell but also potentially impossible to fully understand.

a matter of speculation

This alternative suggests that any attempt to determine the answer would be based on conjecture rather than firm evidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to tell" to express uncertainty or ambiguity about something. For example, "It's difficult to tell whether the project will be completed on time."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to tell"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to say", "not easy to determine", or "it's unclear" depending on the context.

Is "difficult to tell" formal or informal?

"Difficult to tell" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, more precise alternatives might be preferred.

What's the difference between "difficult to tell" and "impossible to know"?

"Difficult to tell" implies uncertainty, while "impossible to know" suggests that determining the answer is beyond reach. The latter conveys a stronger sense of impossibility.