hard to decide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to decide" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing difficulty in making a choice or decision about something. Example: "With so many options available, it's hard to decide which restaurant to choose for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's hard to decide.

The New York Times - Books

"Hard to decide?" I said helpfully.

The New York Times

It's just too hard to decide.

Independent

Was it hard to decide?

The Guardian

It was very hard to decide between them.

Harvard University

"It was just real hard to decide," Ms. Hawkins said.

The New York Times

It's hard to decide if this is a healthy sign.

The New York Times

It's very hard to decide at a moment like this.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is hard to decide which is more important".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The others having boundary level satisfaction are hard to decide.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Label your oils, as it can be hard to decide them apart.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context to determine if a more specific synonym might better convey the nuance of the difficulty in deciding. For example, "difficult to assess" might be more appropriate in a scientific context.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "hard to decide" in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound simplistic. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "challenging to determine" or "difficult to ascertain" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to decide" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied or stated subject, indicating the difficulty associated with making a decision. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to decide" is a common and grammatically correct way to express difficulty in making a choice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, consider using more precise synonyms in formal writing to better convey the specific nuance of the decision-making challenge. Alternatives like "difficult to determine" or "challenging to choose" can enhance clarity and sophistication. Remember to adapt your language to the context, ensuring your writing is both accurate and effective. "Hard to decide" serves as a solid foundation for expressing indecision, but thoughtful word choice can further refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to determine

Replaces "hard" with "difficult" and "decide" with "determine", emphasizing the challenge in ascertaining something.

challenging to choose

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "decide" with "choose", highlighting the demanding nature of the selection process.

tough to figure out

Uses "tough" instead of "hard" and "figure out" in place of "decide", indicating a struggle to understand or resolve something.

not easy to resolve

Emphasizes the lack of ease in finding a solution or making a decision.

a difficult choice

Transforms the phrase into a noun phrase, focusing on the challenging nature of the choice itself.

it's a tough call

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the difficulty in making a decision.

it remains uncertain

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty surrounding a decision.

difficult to make up one's mind

Expresses the difficulty in reaching a decision or forming an opinion.

finding it hard to choose

Rephrases to emphasize the personal experience of difficulty in choosing.

struggling to decide

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in the decision-making process.

FAQs

What does "hard to decide" mean?

The phrase "hard to decide" means that making a choice or coming to a conclusion is difficult. It implies there are multiple options or factors to consider, making the decision process challenging.

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

You can use "hard to decide" in sentences like, "It's "hard to decide" which flavor of ice cream to get with so many options", or "With both candidates having strong qualities, it's "hard to decide" who to vote for."

What are some alternatives to "hard to decide"?

Some alternatives to "hard to decide" include "difficult to determine", "challenging to choose", or "tough to figure out". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hard to decide"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "hard to decide". The phrase is commonly used and accepted in English, as confirmed by Ludwig.