difficult to uncover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to uncover" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is hard to find or reveal, such as information, truths, or hidden aspects. Example: "The truth behind the scandal was difficult to uncover, as many involved were not willing to speak out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A deposition can be a useful tool for uncovering inconsistencies, but it is difficult to uncover opinions about cases that were settled out of court.

Huffington Post

Why is it difficult to uncover information about meteorites?

The New York Times

Biological programs, however, have been the most difficult to uncover.

The New York Times

White-collar crime can be particularly difficult to uncover.

The New York Times

Charges are rarely filed, however, because teams find it difficult to uncover evidence.

The New York Times - Sports

Unbending in his value discipline, Mr. Buffett says he finds it increasingly difficult to uncover companies or stocks worth buying.

The New York Times

When someone is "concealing the truth", it is "difficult to uncover that", adds John Schultz, HP's general counsel.

The Economist

Legislation drafted over the past two decades "has made corruption easier, and more difficult to uncover," he said.

The New York Times

Because of their low symmetry, however, these ordered intermetallic phases have rather complicated deformation mechanisms that are difficult to uncover by experiment alone.

Acta Materialia

The main problem is that testifying at a war crimes tribunal could imperil a journalist's safety or make it difficult to uncover future misdeeds.

The New York Times

In effect, the government charges that Mr. Hanssen spied in a slipstream behind Mr. Ames, making his betrayal all the more difficult to uncover.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to uncover", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Uncover" suggests revealing something hidden or previously unknown, so ensure it aligns with the context of your writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "difficult to uncover" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "hard to discover" or "challenging to reveal" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to uncover" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes something that requires effort or investigation to reveal. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to uncover" is a commonly used phrase that describes something challenging to reveal or discover. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its primary function is to modify nouns, expressing the effort required to expose hidden information. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. For alternative phrasing, consider "hard to discover" or "challenging to reveal" to avoid repetition. Remember to consider the context and specific nuance you want to convey when choosing between "difficult to uncover" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to discover

Replaces "uncover" with "discover", implying a finding that requires effort.

challenging to reveal

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "uncover" with "reveal", suggesting a demanding unveiling process.

not easy to find

Uses a more straightforward and common vocabulary, focusing on the act of finding.

tough to detect

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing or sensing something.

elusive to ascertain

Uses more formal language, with "elusive" implying something hard to catch or understand, and "ascertain" meaning to find something out for certain.

obscure to reveal

Highlights the hidden or unclear nature of what needs to be brought to light.

hidden from view

Focuses on the concealment aspect, implying something is deliberately or naturally out of sight.

buried from sight

Suggests something is deeply concealed or obscured.

veiled from exposure

Implies a deliberate covering or masking that prevents something from being seen or known.

demanding to expose

Highlights the effort needed to bring something into the open.

FAQs

What does "difficult to uncover" mean?

The phrase "difficult to uncover" describes something that is not easily found, revealed, or discovered. It implies that effort or investigation is needed to bring something hidden to light.

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

You might use "difficult to uncover" to describe a secret, a piece of evidence, or a truth that requires significant effort to reveal. For example, "The truth about the company's finances was "difficult to uncover" due to the complex accounting practices."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to uncover"?

Alternatives include "hard to discover", "challenging to reveal", "not easy to find", or "tough to detect". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

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

Both "difficult to uncover" and "hard to uncover" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Difficult" is slightly more formal, while "hard" is more informal. The choice depends on the desired tone of your writing.