hard to disentangle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to disentangle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation, concept, or relationship that is complicated or difficult to separate or clarify. Example: "The issues surrounding climate change are often hard to disentangle from political agendas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's hard to disentangle the two.

The New York Times - Arts

Why it's hard to disentangle social diversity from economic stratification.

The New York Times

It's hard to disentangle the racism from the megalomania.

The Washington Post

But it's hard to disentangle this tragedy from politics.

The New York Times

Their financial statements tend to be hard to disentangle.

The New York Times

It's so deep that it's going to be hard to disentangle it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's very hard to disentangle all of that, and that's a real problem".

The New York Times

Yet it can be hard to disentangle the money from the merits.

The New Yorker

It is also hard to disentangle causes and effects in complex networks, especially in managed systems.

Nature

Fact and myth are equally hard to disentangle in Suharto's subsequent career.

The Guardian

Ageism can be hard to disentangle from the stark facts of aging.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to disentangle", ensure that the context clearly indicates what elements are difficult to separate. For instance, "It's hard to disentangle the political motives from the economic realities."

Common error

Avoid using "hard to disentangle" when simpler phrases like "difficult to understand" or "hard to separate" would suffice. Overusing the phrase in simple contexts can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to disentangle" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the quality of something being difficult to separate or distinguish. As Ludwig AI suggests, it points to complexities where distinct elements are interwoven.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to disentangle" is a versatile phrase used to describe situations where elements are intricately connected and difficult to separate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While it's a useful phrase, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding pretentious in simpler contexts. Consider alternatives like "difficult to differentiate" or "challenging to separate" to add variety to your writing. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "hard to disentangle" into your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to differentiate

This alternative focuses on the challenge of distinguishing between two or more things.

challenging to separate

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty in the act of separating different components.

tough to distinguish

This alternative is a less formal way to express the difficulty in making a clear distinction.

complicated to untangle

This alternative highlights the complexity involved in resolving something that is intertwined.

hard to isolate

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty in singling out a particular element.

difficult to tease apart

This alternative conveys the challenge of carefully separating interconnected elements.

not easy to resolve

This alternative focuses on the difficulty in finding a solution or clarification.

difficult to extricate

This alternative highlights the difficulty of freeing something from a constraint or entanglement.

not straightforward to distinguish

This alternative suggests a lack of simplicity in the process of distinguishing.

tricky to determine

This alternative uses the word "tricky" to emphasize the subtlety of reaching a conclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to disentangle" to describe situations where different elements are interconnected and difficult to separate or understand individually. For example, "It's "hard to disentangle" cause and effect in this complex system."

What are some alternatives to "hard to disentangle"?

Alternatives include "difficult to differentiate", "challenging to separate", or "complicated to untangle", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "hard to disentangle" or "difficult to understand"?

"Hard to disentangle" is more appropriate when describing elements that are intertwined, while "difficult to understand" is better for describing something complex or confusing. For example, use "hard to disentangle" when referring to overlapping factors and "difficult to understand" when referring to a complex theory.

What makes something "hard to disentangle"?

Factors contributing to something being "hard to disentangle" include complex interdependencies, lack of clear boundaries, or the presence of confounding variables. Essentially, it means that the components are so interwoven that separating them is a significant challenge.