hard to corroborate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to corroborate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing information or claims that are difficult to verify or support with evidence. Example: "The witness's account of the event was intriguing, but it was hard to corroborate with the available evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Such figures are hard to corroborate.

The New York Times

Abu Shujaa claims his network has freed 200 Yazidis, a figure that is hard to corroborate.

The Guardian

"It ends up being a 'he said, she said' thing, which is very hard to corroborate," this official said.

The New York Times

Because no formal charges were brought in these cases, the number is hard to corroborate; officials from the teachers' union said they doubted it was that high.

The New York Times

Both sides that night were violent, and the use of force by the Brotherhood's opponents appears to have been deadlier, though that is hard to corroborate given the fog of the moment.

The New York Times

Since neither the media nor aid organisations were allowed into the area, such figures have been hard to corroborate through independent sources, but reports from the closed-off zone have described hospitals full of injured people.Some fear a deeper religious crack in a country where tribal politics run like lacework through society.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Pressure to politicize intelligence is often subtle and extremely difficult to corroborate or quantify.

The New York Times

This, obviously, makes either version difficult to corroborate.

Huffington Post

Some of the company's claims remain difficult to corroborate.

Los Angeles Times

His Tintin interlude, however, is a hard one to corroborate.

The New Yorker

But no hard data exist to corroborate the estimates, he said, "because there is almost an underground market of antibiotics in Chile for salmon aquaculture".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to corroborate", consider specifying why the information is difficult to verify. Providing context strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to corroborate" when there's clear evidence disproving a claim. The phrase implies a lack of confirmation, not necessarily a refutation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to corroborate" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or idea. It indicates that verifying or confirming something is challenging due to a lack of supporting evidence or conflicting information. Ludwig AI confirms that it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to corroborate" is a useful tool for expressing skepticism or uncertainty regarding a claim when solid evidence is lacking. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, clarity is key. Providing context as to why something is "hard to corroborate" strengthens your statement. While alternatives such as "difficult to verify" or "challenging to confirm" exist, "hard to corroborate" is a reliable and frequently encountered option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to verify

Focuses on the challenge of proving something to be true.

challenging to confirm

Emphasizes the effort required to establish certainty.

difficult to validate

Stresses the problem of assessing if something is correct.

not verifiable

Emphasizes the impossibility of confirming its truth.

tough to substantiate

Highlights the problem of providing evidence.

evidence is lacking

Directly states the scarcity of facts that support the matter.

not easily proven

Simple and direct way to express the lack of proof.

hard to authenticate

Highlights doubts about the truthfulness or reliability.

lacks supporting evidence

Points to the absence of information that validates the claim.

unreliable information

Focuses on the trustworthiness of the information itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to corroborate" to describe information, claims, or stories that are difficult to verify due to a lack of evidence or conflicting accounts. For example, "The witness's account was intriguing, but it was "hard to corroborate" with the available evidence."

What are some alternatives to "hard to corroborate"?

Alternatives to "hard to corroborate" include "difficult to verify", "challenging to confirm", or "tough to substantiate". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "hard to corroborate" and "difficult to corroborate" are grammatically correct and have essentially the same meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What does it mean when something is described as "hard to corroborate"?

When something is described as "hard to corroborate", it means that it is challenging to find independent evidence or sources that support its accuracy or truthfulness. It implies a degree of uncertainty or doubt regarding the information.