hard to express

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to express" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when a sentiment or emotion is difficult to articulate. For example, "I felt a deep sadness that was hard to express."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hard to express myself".

The New York Times

"It's hard to express," he said.

The New York Times

"It's hard to express anger here.

The New York Times

But the look was hard to express in production vehicles.

The New York Times

His regime's brutality is, indeed, hard to express.

The New Yorker

It's hard to express the feelings in my heart.

The Guardian - Sport

Unlike Phil, I find it hard to express emotion.

The New Yorker

"It's hard to express it without using an expletive," she said, joking.

The New York Times

It's hard to express how much I loved that book, what it meant to me.

The New York Times - Books

That is another reason why Turks find it hard to express grievances collectively.

The Economist

Many of the costs of a stoppage, moreover, are hard to express in terms of money.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to express", consider adding a brief explanation of why the subject is difficult to articulate. This provides additional context and insight for the reader.

Common error

Avoid pairing "hard to express" with vague intensifiers like "really" or "very". Instead, focus on specific details that hint at the inexpressible quality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to express" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes something, such as a feeling or concept, that is challenging to articulate verbally. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to express" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to indicate difficulty in articulating something. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, including news, science, and everyday conversation. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to avoid overusing vague intensifiers and to provide context when possible. Alternatives such as "difficult to articulate" or "indescribable" may be used for variety. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, highlighting its versatility and relevance in communicating complex or nuanced ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to articulate

Focuses on the challenge in verbally expressing something.

difficult to put into words

Highlights the struggle to find the right vocabulary.

hard to convey

Emphasizes the difficulty in transmitting the idea or feeling to someone else.

words can't describe

Emphasizes the inadequacy of language to capture the essence.

not easily explained

Highlights the difficulty in making something clear or understandable.

indescribable

A single word indicating something beyond description.

beyond words

Stresses the feeling or experience surpasses verbal explanation.

eludes description

Highlights that something avoids or escapes being described.

defies explanation

Suggests that something resists rational explanation or description.

ineffable

A more formal and less common synonym for indescribable.

FAQs

What does "hard to express" mean?

The phrase "hard to express" means that something is difficult to articulate or put into words, often due to its complexity, emotional depth, or abstract nature.

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

You can use alternatives like "difficult to articulate", "difficult to put into words", or "indescribable" depending on the context.

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

You can use "hard to express" when describing a feeling, idea, or experience that is challenging to convey verbally. For example, "The joy I felt was hard to express."

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

Both "hard to express" and "difficult to express" are grammatically correct and have the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations. "Hard" is generally considered slightly more informal.