hard to discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to discover" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is difficult to find or uncover, whether it be information, a location, or an object. Example: "The ancient ruins were hard to discover, hidden deep within the dense jungle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

New music is hard to discover.

The New York Times

It is hard to discover Bassini's highs.

The Guardian - Sport

In the nature of things the German prosecutors who came later found eyewitnesses hard to discover.

The Economist

It would not have been hard to discover some of these facts earlier.

The New Yorker

See, the East Village's secrets are never that hard to discover.

The New York Times - Travel

Magic is about working hard to discover a secret and making something out of it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

It has become harder to discover robes of outstanding quality, Ms. Coleman said.

The New York Times - Arts

All this learning has consequences: Students are pushed harder to discover fresh subjects in order to produce original research.

The New York Times

He adds that he, too, is finding it harder to discover deep value plays in the United States market.

The New York Times

The police also failed to take him alive, making it harder to discover the true breadth of his contacts and of his path to terrorism.

The New York Times

In a frescoed surface, the breaks between the different stages of the work can easily be detected; they are harder to discover in mosaic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to discover", consider the specific reason for the difficulty. Is it hidden, rare, complex, or simply overlooked? Choosing a more precise synonym can enhance clarity.

Common error

While "hard to discover" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound simplistic. Opt for more nuanced alternatives like "challenging to uncover" or "difficult to ascertain" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to discover" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a quality of being difficult to find or ascertain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard expression in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Books

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard to discover" is a common and grammatically sound way to express difficulty in finding or learning something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the examples show a wide range of uses, particularly in news, science, and literary contexts. While generally acceptable, consider using more formal synonyms like "difficult to ascertain" in academic or professional settings. Remember to consider the specific reason for the difficulty to enhance clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to find

This alternative directly replaces "hard" with its synonym "difficult", maintaining a very close semantic equivalence.

not easily found

This phrase directly states the difficulty of finding something, using a simple and straightforward structure.

challenging to uncover

This phrase uses "challenging" instead of "hard" and "uncover" instead of "discover", suggesting a more active and investigative process.

tough to detect

This alternative uses "tough" for "hard" and "detect" for "discover", implying a difficulty in noticing or perceiving something.

difficult to discern

This alternative shifts the focus to the act of discerning or perceiving something that is not immediately obvious.

elusive to ascertain

This option employs more formal vocabulary, with "elusive" replacing "hard" and "ascertain" replacing "discover", indicating a higher degree of difficulty and precision.

hard to come by

This idiom suggests that something is rare or not readily available, making it difficult to obtain.

obscure to identify

This phrase uses "obscure" to mean hidden or unclear, and "identify" to mean recognizing, implying that the thing in question is not easily recognizable.

laborious to unearth

This option implies a significant effort is required to find or reveal something.

hidden from view

This suggests that the item is intentionally or unintentionally concealed.

FAQs

What does "hard to discover" mean?

The phrase "hard to discover" means something is difficult to find, learn, or become aware of. It implies an obstacle or challenge in the process of discovery.

What can I say instead of "hard to discover"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to find", "challenging to uncover", or "tough to detect" depending on the context.

Is "hard to discover" formal or informal?

"Hard to discover" is generally considered neutral. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "elusive to ascertain" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

How do I use "hard to discover" in a sentence?

You can use "hard to discover" to describe anything that is difficult to find. For example, "The truth was hard to discover after so many years" or "New planets are often hard to discover due to their distance".