hard to envision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to envision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is difficult to imagine or visualize in one's mind. Example: "The concept of time travel can be hard to envision for many people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But that's hard to envision.

The Economist

These arguments aren't hard to envision.

The New York Times

It is hard to envision O'Neal doing the same.

The New York Times

A sadder group of pictures is hard to envision.

The New York Times - Arts

It has become hard to envision a compromise.

The Economist

"This place is also hard to envision," he said.

The New Yorker

"Right now, I find it hard to envision Japan's future".

The New York Times

But it's hard to envision exactly where it would go.

The New York Times

It is hard to envision how it can go ahead as planned.

The Economist

May I exchange it for one that I prefer?" It's hard to envision his refusing you.

The New York Times

"It was maybe hard to envision that we were going to turn it very quickly.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand why the subject is difficult to envision. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to envision" in situations where a simpler phrase like "difficult to understand" or "unlikely" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to envision" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is difficult to imagine or visualize. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to envision" is a common and grammatically correct way to express difficulty in imagining or visualizing something. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While alternatives like "difficult to imagine" or "tough to picture" exist, this phrase offers a specific nuance indicating a challenge in forming a clear mental image. To use it effectively, provide sufficient context to explain why the subject is challenging to envision, and avoid overusing it in simple scenarios. By understanding its meaning and appropriate usage, you can enhance your writing's clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to imagine

Replaces "envision" with "imagine", keeping the same core meaning of struggling to form a mental picture.

tough to picture

Uses "tough" instead of "hard" and "picture" instead of "envision", offering a slightly more informal tone.

challenging to foresee

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "envision" with "foresee", emphasizing the difficulty in predicting future events.

not easy to conceive

Replaces "hard" with "not easy" and "envision" with "conceive", maintaining a formal tone.

straining to imagine

Emphasizes the effort involved in trying to imagine something, implying a significant struggle.

beyond comprehension

Indicates that something is not only difficult to imagine but also difficult to understand.

unlikely to visualize

Highlights the improbability of being able to create a mental image of something.

implausible to foresee

Suggests that something is not only difficult to envision but also unlikely to happen.

obscure to understand

Focuses on the lack of clarity or transparency that makes something difficult to envision.

a stretch to imagine

Implies that imagining something requires a significant leap of the imagination.

FAQs

What does "hard to envision" mean?

The phrase "hard to envision" means that something is difficult to imagine or visualize in your mind. It suggests a lack of clarity or a challenge in forming a mental picture of something.

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

You can use alternatives such as "difficult to imagine", "tough to picture", or "challenging to foresee" depending on the context.

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

You can use "hard to envision" to describe situations, concepts, or future events that are difficult to picture. For example, "It's hard to envision the company succeeding without significant investment".

What is the difference between "hard to envision" and "hard to imagine"?

While "hard to envision" and "hard to imagine" are very similar, "envision" often implies a more detailed or specific mental picture, especially of something in the future, while "imagine" is more general.