difficult to value

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to value" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is hard to assess or determine the worth of, such as an asset, opinion, or experience. Example: "The artwork is unique and has a personal significance that makes it difficult to value in monetary terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's very difficult to value.

The New York Times

Such bonds, traded infrequently, are the most difficult to value.

The New York Times

It is difficult to value Kozmo or Urbanfetch because both are privately held.

The New York Times

They feel it is difficult to value accurately the Russian business.

The Guardian - Business

The problem is that internet companies are difficult to value by conventional measures.

The Guardian - Business

Given the intangible nature of intellectual property, it can be difficult to value.

University of California, Berkeley

"It's difficult to value a company in this situation," he said.

The New York Times

Information on historical prices is scarce, so it is difficult to value assets.

The Economist

Despite the limited supply, prices remain cheap, in part because the assets are difficult to value.

The New York Times

Almost all proposals have effects that are difficult to value in monetary terms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hedge funds also increasingly invest in esoteric derivatives that are often illiquid and difficult to value.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing intangible assets, clearly state the reasons why they are "difficult to value", such as lack of market comparables or uncertain future revenue streams.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "difficult to value" without providing specific reasons. Detail the particular factors that make valuation challenging in the given context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to value" functions as an adjectival phrase describing something that is not easily assessed in terms of its monetary or intrinsic worth. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to value" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe scenarios where assessing worth is challenging. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and frequently used, finding numerous real-world examples in news, academic research, and scientific publications. The phrase functions as an adjectival phrase, highlighting complexities in valuation and a need for deeper explanation. When using "difficult to value", it's crucial to specify why something is hard to assess, mentioning specific factors that contribute to the challenge. Common synonyms include "hard to assess" and "challenging to appraise".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to assess

Focuses on the difficulty of evaluating something.

challenging to appraise

Highlights the complexity involved in determining the value.

tough to evaluate

Emphasizes the effort required to reach a valuation.

not easily quantifiable

Indicates that value cannot be expressed numerically.

elusive to price

Suggests that finding an accurate price is problematic.

complicated to determine the worth

Stresses the intricacy of the valuation process.

presents valuation complexities

Highlights the presence of complex issues in valuation.

valuation is problematic

Directly states that valuation presents issues or difficulties.

worth is uncertain

Indicates a lack of clarity or confidence in the value.

value is indeterminate

Implies that the value cannot be precisely established.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to value" to describe assets, companies, or even experiences when their worth isn't easily determined. For example, "Intangible assets are notoriously "difficult to value"."

What are some alternatives to saying "difficult to value"?

Alternatives include "hard to assess", "challenging to appraise", or "not easily quantifiable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What makes something "difficult to value"?

Several factors can contribute, such as a lack of comparable sales data, uncertain future cash flows, or the intangible nature of the asset. For example, it can be "difficult to value" internet companies because they don't have a long history or physical assets.

Is it more "difficult to value" or "hard to value"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Difficult" is slightly more formal than "hard", but either is acceptable. Consider if "hard to assess" is better for your context.