difficult to think that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to think that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing disbelief or skepticism about a particular idea or situation. Example: "It's difficult to think that such a talented artist could struggle with self-doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Only Finn's record as a proven Test wicket-taker can possibly make him a viable proposition but it is difficult to think that will be sufficient.

Independent

"There have already been so many signals in the past years that it is difficult to think that new signals would work on Russian businessmen, but this certainly shows that however loyal you are, however far from politics you are, if they want to take your business they will, because they are greedy bandits".

The Guardian - Business

With everything that has been written and said about the subject, from Afghanistan to Iraq and KBR to Wackenhut Services, it is difficult to think that is the case.

Huffington Post

It's difficult to think that we could suddenly close the doors".

Independent

"I find it extremely difficult to think that we have abandoned these people".

The Guardian - Opinion

It is also difficult to think that Gillespie would easily back the omission of Pietersen as a prerequisite.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

It is no longer acceptable to think that difficult problems should be avoided so as not to spoil the mood.

Huffington Post

"It's a difficult market and I'm beginning to think that is a possibility," he said.

BBC

To this day, I find it difficult to think of that novel without getting the chills".

The Guardian - Books

It is difficult to think of anything that could be cut; the music is sensationally beautiful throughout.

The New Yorker

It is difficult to think of anything that is capable of bringing quite so much warmth, jollity and good humour to the table on a frost-sparkling night as winter squash.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to think that" to express a considered opinion or polite disagreement, softening a potentially blunt statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of "difficult to think that" can make your writing sound overly formal or hesitant in casual conversations or less formal writing. Opt for more direct expressions like "I doubt it" or "I don't think so" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to think that" serves as an epistemic phrase. It introduces a proposition or statement that the speaker finds challenging or unlikely to accept, based on their understanding or knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to think that" is a versatile phrase used to express doubt or polite disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news media and scientific writing. While similar to alternatives like "hard to believe that", it emphasizes the cognitive challenge in accepting a proposition. When writing, be mindful of the register and avoid overusing it in informal settings. Pay attention to the context for a more accurate and relevant usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to imagine that

Emphasizes the difficulty in forming a mental picture or scenario.

difficult to believe that

Focuses on the lack of credibility or trustworthiness.

unlikely to assume that

Suggests that it is improbable someone would make such assumption.

doubtful to consider that

Highlights the uncertainty and skepticism surrounding a thought.

implausible to suggest that

Indicates that the proposal or idea lacks plausibility.

questionable to assume that

Indicates that underlying assumption is open to question.

hard to accept that

Highlights emotional difficulty in embracing the thought.

challenging to conceive that

Emphasizes the effort required to understand or accept something.

far-fetched to presume that

Denotes a level of unlikeliness in the expressed assumption.

remote to speculate that

Suggests the idea is distant from current reality or evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to think that" in a sentence?

Use "difficult to think that" to express disbelief or doubt about a situation. For example: "It's difficult to think that he would betray his friends."

What's a less formal alternative to "difficult to think that"?

In more casual contexts, consider using phrases like "I doubt that" or "I don't think that" as alternatives to "difficult to think that".

Is "difficult to think that" the same as "hard to believe that"?

While similar, "difficult to think that" focuses more on the mental effort required to accept something, whereas "hard to believe that" emphasizes the lack of credibility.

When is it appropriate to use "difficult to think that" in writing?

Use "difficult to think that" in formal writing, opinion pieces, or when expressing nuanced disagreement. It conveys a sense of thoughtful consideration.