hard to segregate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to segregate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult to separate or distinguish from other elements. Example: "The data sets were so intertwined that they were hard to segregate for analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A large space is very hard to segregate because there are no natural barriers.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not so hard to segregate data like that, and as Apple likely can't commit to only one storage type or another, they'll have to do something interesting with both.

TechCrunch

It is therefore hard to segregate top-down effects such as attention and changes in the information carried by sensory inputs, from bottom-up effects stemming from changes in the sensory inputs.

Cerebral Cortex

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's a bit harsh to segregate children," he said.

The New York Times

Biotechnology critics jumped on the unauthorized spread this year of StarLink into the food chain as proof of how hard genetically engineered traits are to segregate once they are in the agricultural marketplace.

The New York Times

The role of the particle shape of the majority powder is particularly emphasised and it is quantitatively demonstrated that spherical particles are harder to mix and more ready to segregate than particles with irregular shapes.

Chemical Engineering Science

Fair housing advocates fear that the justices will strike down this latter standard, known as "disparate impact", making it easier for providers to segregate in subtle and hard-to-prove ways, for example through mortgage-lending strategies or tenancy restrictions.

The Guardian

It was hard not to see such ventures as attempts to segregate contemporary music and appease special-interest audiences.

The New York Times

Control of particulate processes is hard to achieve because of the ease with which powders tend to segregate.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

But it's hard to think of a less effective way to nurture such "understanding" than to segregate students by religion and teach them that all other groups are wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Athletes tend to segregate themselves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to segregate", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being separated and why the separation is difficult. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to segregate" in contexts where a simpler term like "difficult to separate" would suffice. Overusing specialized vocabulary can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to segregate" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, describing the difficulty associated with the act of segregation. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to segregate" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the difficulty in separating or distinguishing elements. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is most frequently found in science and news media contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. While other phrases such as "difficult to differentiate" or "challenging to isolate" can serve as alternatives, it's important to choose a term that accurately reflects the specific challenge being described. When using "hard to segregate", clarity is key to ensuring that the context and intended meaning are well understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to differentiate

Focuses on the challenge of discerning differences between items.

challenging to isolate

Highlights the problem of setting something apart from its surroundings.

tough to compartmentalize

Emphasizes the difficulty of dividing something into distinct sections.

not easily separable

Stresses the inherent connection or integration making separation unnatural.

hard to distinguish

Highlights the difficulty in perceiving clear differences.

difficult to disentangle

Indicates the complexity of untangling intertwined elements.

complex to sort

Focuses on the sorting difficulties when facing complex information.

inseparable to a great extent

Emphasizes a high degree of connectedness and integration.

not straightforward to divide

Indicates that the division process may require more effort or complexity.

intricate to categorize

Focuses on the complex nature of allocating elements into defined categories.

FAQs

What does "hard to segregate" mean?

The phrase "hard to segregate" describes a situation where it is difficult to separate or keep things apart. This could apply to physical objects, data, or even abstract concepts.

When is it appropriate to use "hard to segregate"?

Use "hard to segregate" when you want to emphasize the difficulty of separating something due to its inherent properties or the context in which it exists. For less formal situations, consider alternatives like "difficult to separate".

Which is more appropriate, "hard to segregate" or "difficult to distinguish"?

The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Hard to segregate" emphasizes the act of separating, while "difficult to distinguish" focuses on the challenge of perceiving a difference between things.

What are some alternatives to "hard to segregate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "challenging to isolate", "tough to compartmentalize", or "not easily separable".