hard to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult to determine or figure out. Example: "The reasons for the sudden change in policy are hard to ascertain without further information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even the smallest details seemed hard to ascertain.

The New York Times

The source of the pressure is not hard to ascertain.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Until then, his true colours remain hard to ascertain.

The Economist

Exactly how good Mr. Rangel's Spanish is proved hard to ascertain, though.

The New York Times

But it is hard to ascertain Milicic's value because he rarely plays.

The New York Times

Of course, these are observational studies, and as such causation can be hard to ascertain.

The Guardian

The background and the role of these representatives may also be hard to ascertain.

The New York Times

On visits this week, the degree of veteran involvement at some carts was hard to ascertain.

The New York Times

Quite what he and the other singer are saying is hard to ascertain.

The Guardian - Music

-It's hard to ascertain what scheduling the robot did and how it did it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Creating norms to curb cyberattacks is difficult enough because the attackers' identities are hard to ascertain.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to ascertain" when you want to emphasize the difficulty in obtaining accurate or reliable information. It is suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "hard to ascertain" may sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hard to tell" or "difficult to figure out" for everyday use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to ascertain" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates the degree of difficulty in determining or establishing something. Ludwig AI examples confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard to ascertain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying difficulty in determining or establishing something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is most prevalent in news and media, and scientific contexts, and it is suitable for neutral to formal communication. While it is a correct and usable phrase, remember to consider simpler alternatives like "difficult to determine" or "challenging to figure out" in more informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to determine

Focuses on the challenge in reaching a definite conclusion.

challenging to figure out

Emphasizes the effort required to understand or solve something.

not easy to establish

Highlights the complexity in proving or setting up something.

tough to make out

Suggests obscurity or lack of clarity in perceiving something.

obscure to discern

Indicates that something is hidden or not easily noticeable.

elusive to pinpoint

Implies that something is hard to locate or identify precisely.

difficult to verify

Highlights the problem in confirming or validating something.

not clear to understand

Emphasizes a lack of comprehension or transparency.

hard to get to the bottom of

Suggests that extensive investigation is needed.

beyond one's ken

Refers to something beyond one's understanding or knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to ascertain" when describing something that is difficult to determine or discover. For example, "The motive behind his actions was "hard to ascertain"."

What are some alternatives to "hard to ascertain"?

Some alternatives include "difficult to determine", "challenging to figure out", or "not easy to establish" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "hard to ascertain" or "difficult to ascertain"?

"Hard to ascertain" and "difficult to ascertain" are largely interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference, although "difficult" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "hard to ascertain" and "hard to verify"?

"Hard to ascertain" implies difficulty in discovering or establishing something as fact, while "hard to verify" indicates difficulty in confirming the truth or accuracy of something already presented.