hard to grasp

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to grasp" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in reference to a concept or idea that is difficult to understand or comprehend. For example, "The professor's explanation of quantum physics was hard to grasp."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This isn't hard to grasp.

Independent

The remedies are not hard to grasp.

The Economist

It was hard to grasp.

The New York Times

This is hard to grasp.

The Guardian - Music

They are inherently hard to grasp.

The New York Times

Internet privacy is hard to grasp.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yes, it can be hard to grasp.

The New Yorker

The difference is not hard to grasp.

The New York Times - Sports

The scale is hard to grasp.

The Guardian - Arts

It's not really that hard to grasp.

The Guardian - Opinion

The scale of the problem is hard to grasp.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to grasp" when you want to convey that something is not immediately obvious or requires effort to understand. It's suitable for describing abstract concepts, complex ideas, or unexpected situations.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to grasp" for situations that are merely inconvenient or slightly confusing. Reserve it for concepts that genuinely present a challenge to understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to grasp" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or concept. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to describe something that is not easily understood or comprehended. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its usage in various contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

24%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to grasp" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to describe something difficult to understand. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It frequently appears in News & Media, Science and Academia, denoting its widespread use in describing complex topics and intricate ideas. While semantically similar alternatives such as "difficult to understand" and "challenging to comprehend" exist, "hard to grasp" maintains its distinct idiomatic flavor. When using it, ensure the context truly warrants its implication of intellectual difficulty, as overuse in simple situations can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to understand

Focuses more directly on the difficulty of understanding, rather than the act of grasping the concept.

challenging to comprehend

Emphasizes the challenge involved in fully understanding something.

tough to comprehend

More informal way to describe something difficult to understand.

not easily understood

A more descriptive and less idiomatic way of expressing the same idea.

beyond my comprehension

Indicates a limit to one's understanding.

obscure

Suggests the concept is vague or not clearly expressed.

elusive

Implies the concept is difficult to catch or retain.

abstruse

Highlights the deepness and complexity of a concept, making it hard to understand.

impenetrable

Implies the concept is impossible to understand, like a barrier.

knotty

Implies that something is complicated or full of difficulties.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to grasp" to describe concepts that are difficult to understand. For example, "The theory of relativity is "hard to grasp" for many people".

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

You can use alternatives like "difficult to understand", "challenging to comprehend", or "tough to comprehend" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "hard to grasp" or "difficult to grasp"?

Both "hard to grasp" and "difficult to grasp" are acceptable and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "hard to grasp" and "hard to fathom"?

"Hard to grasp" suggests something is difficult to understand, while "hard to fathom" implies something is difficult to believe or imagine. The nuance lies in whether the challenge is intellectual or related to comprehension versus incredulity.