hard to absorb

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to absorb" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most often used to describe information that is complex or difficult to understand. For example, "The class discussed a complex theorem that was hard to absorb in one sitting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's very hard to absorb the information.

The New York Times - Science

IT IS hard to absorb the full reality.

The Economist

The closing songs are hard to absorb at first.

The New Yorker

"It's going to be hard to absorb all these people.

The New York Times

It's just so ironic, it's hard to absorb.

The New York Times

The music could be abrasive, the costumes peculiar, the choreography hard to absorb.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet all the Stoic arguments are hard to absorb in that part of ourselves that matters.

The New York Times

As for the speech, I find it hard to absorb such work in real time.

The New Yorker

Icon or not, Mr. Walaker says it is hard to absorb praise.

The New York Times

Vicki Mortimer's incredible, comprehensively realised set is also hard to absorb at one go.

The Guardian

Some people may barely speak English and have to work very hard to absorb the material.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex information, follow the statement that something is "hard to absorb" with an explanation of why, providing context and examples to aid comprehension.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "hard to absorb" without providing any context or explanation. Instead, elaborate on the specific aspects that make the information challenging to understand, offering examples or simplifying the concepts involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to absorb" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (often implicit), indicating that something is difficult to understand or assimilate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to absorb" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe something difficult to understand or process. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and shows it is very commonly used across diverse contexts, from News & Media to Science. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "hard to absorb", ensure you provide enough context for your audience, and consider alternatives like "difficult to comprehend" or "challenging to grasp" to refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to comprehend

Replaces "hard" with "difficult" and "absorb" with "comprehend", focusing on understanding.

challenging to grasp

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "absorb" with "grasp", emphasizing the effort required.

tough to assimilate

Uses "tough" instead of "hard" and "assimilate" instead of "absorb", highlighting the process of integrating information.

not easy to digest

Replaces "hard" with "not easy" and "absorb" with "digest", creating a metaphor of mental processing.

difficult to process

Emphasizes the mental action of processing information rather than simply absorbing it.

taxing to internalize

Highlights the effort involved in making something a part of one's understanding.

complicated to understand

Focuses on the complexity as the reason for the difficulty in understanding.

beyond my comprehension

Expresses a personal limit in understanding, rather than a general difficulty.

over my head

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is too difficult to understand.

impenetrable to understanding

Emphasizes the impossibility of understanding due to the complexity or obscurity of the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "hard to absorb" in a sentence?

You can use "hard to absorb" to describe information, concepts, or situations that are difficult to understand or process. For example, "The professor presented a complex theory that was "hard to absorb" in a single lecture".

What are some alternatives to "hard to absorb"?

Alternatives to "hard to absorb" include "difficult to comprehend", "challenging to grasp", or "not easy to digest", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "difficult to absorb" the same as "hard to absorb"?

Yes, "difficult to absorb" is very similar in meaning to "hard to absorb". The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations, as they both convey the idea of something being challenging to understand.

When is it appropriate to use "hard to absorb" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "hard to absorb" when you want to describe something that requires significant mental effort to understand or assimilate. This phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts when discussing complex ideas, traumatic events, or large amounts of information.