extremely elusive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extremely elusive" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means something that is very difficult to catch or understand. Example: Finding the solution to the math problem proved to be extremely elusive, even for the most advanced students in the class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Neil: "It's extremely elusive.

The Guardian - Music

He claimed that "the truth was extremely elusive" during the making of the film.

The Guardian - Film

They've found what they're looking for – a small and extremely elusive furry creature – a slender loris.

The Guardian

Everybody says there's not a panther in here, but they're extremely elusive".

The New Yorker

But consensus has proved extremely elusive in this dispute between two billionaires — Bertarelli and Ellison — who were once allies.

The New York Times - Sports

"The neutrino was an extremely elusive particle, but [Schwartz] found a way to make a beam of them at Brookhaven [National Laboratory]," Drell said.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Assists and rebounds garner some love, especially when they add up to the double-double or--extremely elusive in a 32 minute high school game--the triple-double.

Huffington Post

However, in the absence of this symptom-complex, diagnosis may be extremely difficult, elusive and delayed due to the absence of an easily available and reliable serological or molecular method to detect this microorganism in blood [ 17, 18].

BMC Infectious Diseases

But short of such epochal shifts, the Japanese find major change extremely difficult and elusive.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is extremely rare and elusive, and is restricted to mature forests of the Southeast.

Cornell University

Thresher sharks have also been sighted by divers passing over deep volcanic channels, as has the extremely rare and elusive megamouth shark.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extremely elusive", consider the context to ensure the intensity of the phrase matches the situation. If something is simply difficult to find, "elusive" may suffice, but if it presents a significant challenge, "extremely elusive" is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "extremely elusive" when "elusive" or other less emphatic terms would suffice. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely elusive" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its quality of being very difficult to find, catch, or understand. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extremely elusive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that describes something very difficult to find, catch, or understand. Ludwig AI confirms its wide acceptance and appropriate use across various contexts. It's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the intensity of the situation and avoid overuse in simpler contexts. Alternatives such as "very difficult to find" or "hard to catch" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very difficult to find

Focuses on the difficulty of physically locating something.

remarkably hard to catch

Emphasizes the challenge of capturing or apprehending something.

exceptionally difficult to grasp

Highlights the complexity of understanding something.

notoriously hard to pin down

Implies a reputation for being difficult to define or understand.

particularly difficult to obtain

Stresses the obstacles in acquiring something.

highly evasive

Focuses on the act of avoiding capture or detection.

exceedingly difficult to track

Highlights the challenge of monitoring the location or progress of something.

very difficult to ascertain

Emphasizes the challenge of finding something out for certain.

especially hard to come by

Focuses on scarcity or rarity of something.

nearly impossible to detect

Highlights the difficulty of perceiving something.

FAQs

How can I use "extremely elusive" in a sentence?

You can use "extremely elusive" to describe something that is very difficult to find, catch, understand, or achieve. For example, "The solution to the problem was "extremely elusive", even after hours of research."

What can I say instead of "extremely elusive"?

Alternatives include "very difficult to find", "hard to catch", or "difficult to grasp", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very elusive" instead of "extremely elusive"?

While "very elusive" is grammatically correct, "extremely elusive" emphasizes the intensity of the elusiveness. The choice depends on how much you want to stress the difficulty.

What's the difference between "elusive" and "extremely elusive"?

"Elusive" describes something that is difficult to find or understand. "Extremely elusive" amplifies this difficulty, indicating that it is particularly challenging or near impossible to grasp or locate.