hard to put into words

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to put into words" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express difficulty in expressing or describing something. Example: The feeling of grief and loss was hard to put into words, as if the depth of emotions could not be captured by language alone.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's just hard to put into words".

The New York Times - Sports

It is really hard to put into words.

The New York Times

"It's hard to put into words," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's really hard to put into words," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

'It was hard to put into words,' she said.

The Guardian

It's hard to put into words what this means.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's hard to put into words how much Cornell helped us," he said.

Cornell University

"I have a level of regret that is hard to put into words.

The New York Times

What these young guys have achieved is hard to put into words.

The New York Times - Sports

It's hard to put into words how special it is for me.

The New York Times

"Butler University has been on a stage that's hard to put into words," Stevens said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to put into words" to acknowledge the limitations of language when conveying complex emotions or experiences, adding authenticity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to put into words" for situations that can be easily described. Reserve it for truly profound or complex subjects to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to put into words" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a predicate adjective. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it describes the difficulty or impossibility of articulating something adequately.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to put into words" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express the difficulty in articulating something, especially complex emotions or profound experiences. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its suitability for neutral communication. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where words truly fall short, to maintain its impact and authenticity. Remember that there are several alternatives such as "difficult to articulate" or "beyond description" that may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to articulate

Focuses on the difficulty in expressing something clearly and effectively.

words cannot describe

Emphasizes the inadequacy of language to capture the essence of something.

beyond description

Highlights that something is too extraordinary or profound to be described.

indescribable feeling

Specifically refers to a feeling that is impossible to convey accurately.

defies explanation

Indicates that something is impossible to explain or understand fully.

struggle to express

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in trying to communicate something.

at a loss for words

Describes a state of being unable to think of anything to say, often due to strong emotion.

ineffable experience

Refers to an experience that is too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.

hard to define

Indicates a challenge in providing a clear and precise definition of something.

eludes precise expression

Suggests that something is difficult to capture in exact terms.

FAQs

How can I use "hard to put into words" in a sentence?

You can use "hard to put into words" to express difficulty in describing emotions, experiences, or complex concepts. For example: "The beauty of the sunset was "hard to put into words"."

What can I say instead of "hard to put into words"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to articulate", "words cannot describe", or "beyond description" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hard to put into words"?

Yes, "hard to put into words" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English to indicate a struggle to express something effectively.

What's the difference between "difficult to explain" and "hard to put into words"?

"Difficult to explain" suggests a challenge in making something understandable, while "hard to put into words" specifically refers to the struggle to find the right words to express a feeling or experience.