hard to define

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'hard to define' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is difficult to describe or explain using words. For example: "The concept of friendship is hard to define".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's hard to define".

The New York Times - Food

Sometimes it's hard to define".

The New York Times - Arts

He was hard to define.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's hard to define," she said.

The New Yorker

It's hard to define Britishness.

The Guardian - Arts

Judgment is hard to define.

Harvard Business Review

SPEER: That is hard to define.

Yale University

Temperature actually is pretty hard to define.

Cornell University

It's sometimes awfully hard to define waste.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sepsis is a hard-to-define condition.

BMJ Open

It's very touching for reasons that are hard to define".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "hard to define" with examples or illustrative scenarios to convey the intangible qualities of the subject you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to define" as a substitute for deeper analysis. If something is difficult to define, attempt to explain why it is so, rather than simply stating the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

Adjective phrase functioning as a descriptor. "Hard to define" typically modifies a noun or concept, indicating that it lacks clear boundaries or is difficult to express precisely. Ludwig confirms the grammatical validity and broad applicability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

19%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to define" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express the difficulty in clearly and precisely defining something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversation, indicating its broad applicability. While versatile, it's important to provide context and avoid using it as a substitute for deeper analysis. Alternatives like "difficult to articulate" or "elusive to pinpoint" can be used for variety. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking a clear definition

Directly states the absence of a precise definition.

tough to put into words

Highlights the difficulty in verbally expressing something.

difficult to articulate

Emphasizes the struggle to express something clearly in words.

challenging to delineate

Focuses on the problem of setting clear boundaries or limits.

hard to put your finger on

Idiomatic expression for something that's difficult to identify or understand.

elusive to pinpoint

Highlights the evasive nature of trying to identify something precisely.

not easily classified

Indicates that something doesn't fit neatly into existing categories.

resistant to categorization

Stresses the object's property of being difficult to assign to a class or category.

indistinct

Implies a lack of clarity or definition.

vague and undefined

Emphasizes the lack of precision and clarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to define" to describe concepts, feelings, or abstract ideas that lack a clear or precise definition. For instance, "The essence of happiness is "hard to define", but easy to recognize when experienced".

What are some alternatives to "hard to define"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "difficult to articulate", "challenging to delineate", or "elusive to pinpoint".

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

Both "difficult to define" and "hard to define" are grammatically correct and interchangeable. "Hard" is slightly more informal than "difficult", but both are widely accepted.

What makes something "hard to define"?

Something might be "hard to define" because it's abstract, subjective, lacks clear boundaries, or has multiple interpretations. It could also be due to its complex or evolving nature.