hard to visualize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to visualize" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is difficult to picture or imagine in one's mind. Example: "The concept of a multi-dimensional space can be quite hard to visualize for those not familiar with advanced mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It can be hard to visualize a quantity of water.

The New Yorker

It was not hard to visualize a pristine forest sliced and diced by roads and traffic.

The New York Times

It was hard to visualize Lewis beating Mosley based on Saturday night's performance, however.

The New York Times - Sports

By John Bainbridge The wall that divides Berlin is hard to visualize, because it defies comparison.

The New Yorker

But it's pretty hard to visualize pain, and not much fun trying".

The New Yorker

"It's hard to visualize this with no houses," David Ramos said.

The New York Times

And all those drawings are two-dimensional, making it hard to visualize them accurately.

The New York Times - Tech

"With new construction, it can be hard to visualize views," she said.

The New York Times

The wall that divides Berlin is hard to visualize, because it defies comparison.

The New Yorker

It's hard to visualize remote colleagues or a set of abstract tasks and deadlines.

MIT Technology Review

"She's skinny and female," Ms. Rich said, "so sometimes it's hard to visualize the smaller vessels".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If something is "hard to visualize", consider providing a diagram, illustration, or 3D model to aid understanding.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on abstract terminology when something is "hard to visualize". Supplement your descriptions with tangible details and relatable comparisons to bridge the comprehension gap.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to visualize" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It describes the degree of difficulty one experiences when attempting to form a mental image or concept. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is used to express the challenge of creating a mental representation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to visualize" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the difficulty in forming a mental image of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is readily usable in writing. Its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media and Academia, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, consider supplementing it with concrete examples or visual aids to enhance comprehension. Alternatives such as "difficult to imagine" or "challenging to picture" can be employed for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to picture

Replaces "visualize" with "picture", maintaining the same meaning.

hard to envision

Uses "envision" as a synonym for "visualize".

difficult to imagine

Emphasizes the difficulty in forming a mental picture.

not easy to picture

Emphasizes the lack of ease in forming a mental image.

challenging to picture

Highlights the effort required to create a mental image.

tough to conceive

Focuses on the difficulty in grasping or understanding the concept.

hard to fathom

Highlights the difficulty in fully understanding or comprehending.

difficult to grasp

Emphasizes the challenge in understanding something.

difficult to perceive

Highlights the difficulty in becoming aware of something through the senses.

obscure to the mind's eye

Uses metaphorical language to describe the difficulty in visualizing.

FAQs

How can I make something less "hard to visualize"?

Provide concrete examples, analogies, or visual aids to help your audience form a mental image. Break down complex concepts into smaller, more manageable parts.

What are some alternatives to "hard to visualize"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to imagine", "challenging to picture", or "tough to conceive" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative when something is "hard to visualize"?

Not necessarily. It simply indicates that the concept or scenario requires more effort to understand or imagine. This can be due to complexity, abstractness, or unfamiliarity.

What's the difference between "hard to visualize" and "hard to understand"?

"Hard to visualize" implies difficulty in forming a mental image, while "hard to understand" suggests difficulty in comprehending the underlying concept or meaning. While related, visualization focuses on the visual aspect, and understanding focuses on comprehension. You can say that something is "hard to fathom".