difficult to trace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to trace" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is difficult to track down or find out. For example: "The source of the leak was difficult to trace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The origins of Jainism are somewhat difficult to trace.

Yale University

The origins of mulled wine are not difficult to trace.

The Guardian

Senator John McCain's family tree proved more difficult to trace.

The New York Times

Historically it has proven difficult to trace the source that leads to an outbreak.

Cornell University

This drastically reduces the roughness, or noise, surrounding intersections, which usually makes them difficult to trace.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Its LeakFinderST technology pinpoints leaks in plastic pipes, which conventional sensors find it difficult to trace.

The Guardian

Currently when a drone is captured it is difficult to trace back to an owner.

The Guardian - Tech

Among reported cases of E. coli, patterns are often difficult to trace to a single source.

The New York Times

But it is difficult to trace authorship for the W.P.A. guides.

The New York Times - Books

Decorations based on Chinese literary sources are usually extremely difficult to trace to their origin.

Britannica

The Hanks genealogy is difficult to trace, but Nancy appears to have been of illegitimate birth.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to trace", ensure that the subject you are referring to is clearly defined. Ambiguity can make the sentence confusing.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to trace" with concrete nouns that are easily identifiable. For example, instead of saying "The missing key was difficult to trace", consider "The missing key was difficult to find".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to trace" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate the level of challenge involved in tracking or identifying something. Ludwig examples confirm its usage across a wide range of contexts, reinforcing its adjectival role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

18%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to trace" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the challenges associated with tracking or identifying something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is employed across various contexts, from news reports to academic research, highlighting its versatility. While semantically similar phrases like "hard to track down" and "challenging to pinpoint" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the subject is well-defined. Be mindful to avoid misusing it with easily identifiable concrete nouns. Overall, "difficult to trace" is a reliable phrase for emphasizing the complexity of tracing something back to its origin or source.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to track down

Focuses on the difficulty in locating or finding something.

challenging to pinpoint

Emphasizes the difficulty in identifying something precisely.

tough to ascertain

Highlights the difficulty in confirming or establishing something as fact.

not easy to follow

Emphasizes the complexity in understanding or tracking something's path.

obscure to locate

Stresses the lack of clarity in where to find something.

complex to unravel

Highlights the intricacy involved in resolving or understanding something.

problematic to identify

Emphasizes the issues involved in recognizing or establishing something.

unclear to determine

Focuses on the ambiguity making it difficult to reach a conclusion.

nearly impossible to detect

Emphasizes the extreme difficulty and likelihood of not finding something.

elusive to discover

Highlights that something escapes finding or capture, emphasizing its subtlety.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to trace" to describe something that is hard to follow or discover. For example, "The origins of the rumor were "difficult to trace"".

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

You can use alternatives like "hard to track down", "challenging to pinpoint", or "tough to ascertain" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "impossible to trace" instead of "difficult to trace"?

While both are grammatically correct, "impossible to trace" implies that something cannot be traced at all, whereas "difficult to trace" suggests it is possible but challenging. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What makes something "difficult to trace"?

Factors like obscured origins, complex systems, intentional obfuscation, or lack of documentation can make something "difficult to trace". For instance, financial transactions through multiple offshore accounts are often "difficult to trace".