hard to quantify

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to quantify" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to mean something that is difficult to measure or assign a numerical value to. For example: The psychological effects of poverty are hard to quantify.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's hard to quantify.

The New Yorker

This is hard to quantify.

The Economist

They lost for reasons hard to quantify.

The New York Times - Sports

It is hard to quantify.

The Guardian

So it's hard to quantify.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But it's hard to quantify".

The New York Times

That was hard to quantify".

The New York Times

But these things are hard to quantify.

The New York Times

But results have been hard to quantify.

The New York Times

These things are hard to quantify.

The Guardian - Music

Death tolls have been hard to quantify.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "hard to quantify" with more descriptive alternatives like "difficult to measure" or "challenging to assess" to add nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to quantify" as a vague placeholder. If something is "hard to quantify", explain why it presents measurement challenges. For example, specify if it's due to a lack of data, subjective factors, or complex interactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to quantify" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or concept. It indicates that a particular attribute or effect is difficult to measure or express numerically. As Ludwig AI confirmes, it is a common expression used to highlight measurement challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to quantify" is a frequently used phrase indicating difficulty in measuring or assessing something numerically. As stated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid and appropriate for use in English writing. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to provide context and specificity rather than using it as a vague statement. Alternatives like "difficult to measure" or "challenging to assess" may offer more descriptive options. It appears predominantly in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Therefore, when incorporating this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overuse in ambiguous situations to maintain precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to measure

Focuses specifically on the challenge of measurement.

challenging to assess

Emphasizes the complexity of evaluation.

tough to evaluate

Uses more informal language to express the difficulty of assessment.

imprecise to calculate

Highlights the lack of precision in calculation.

not easily measured

Rephrases the difficulty in a passive voice.

difficult to ascertain

Emphasizes the difficulty in finding something out for certain.

hard to determine

Focuses on the difficulty of establishing something definitively.

qualitatively vague

Highlights the qualitative ambiguity rather than quantitative.

resistant to evaluation

Emphasizes the resistance of the subject to being evaluated.

defies precise measurement

Highlights the impossibility of precise measurement.

FAQs

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

Use "hard to quantify" to describe something that is difficult to measure or express numerically. For example: "The impact of social media on political discourse is "difficult to measure"".

What are some alternatives to "hard to quantify"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to measure", "challenging to assess", or "tough to evaluate" depending on the specific context.

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

Both "difficult to quantify" and "hard to quantify" are correct and generally interchangeable. "Difficult" is slightly more formal, while "hard" is more informal.

What makes something "hard to quantify"?

Something is "hard to quantify" when it involves subjective factors, lacks reliable data, or has complex interactions that are "resistant to evaluation".