is difficult to conceal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is difficult to conceal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that is hard to hide or keep secret. Example: "The truth about the project is difficult to conceal, as many people are aware of the ongoing issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In an age when almost every cellphone is equipped with a camera, it is difficult to conceal aggressive behavior.

The New York Times

Open data enables accountability: it is difficult to conceal something if the facts are there for all to see.

The Guardian

Because most folk music relies little on complex orchestration, lyrical inadequacy is difficult to conceal, and a greater responsibility rests with the folk musician to compel using only natural endowment.

Huffington Post

It is difficult to conceal the study group from participants in physical activity trials, and self reported measures are therefore susceptible to differential social desirability bias, which could inflate estimates of intervention effect.

British Medical Journal

Although you could try sneaking out of the store without paying, plywood is difficult to conceal, and most stores now have security cameras.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Criminals use handguns because assault weapons are expensive and they're difficult to conceal.

The Washington Post

Indeed, as she puts it, "It would have been difficult to conceal from me that I was clever".

The Guardian - Books

While Tuvia repeatedly moved the camp, its location was difficult to conceal from local peasants, and security became an increasing source of concern.

Britannica

Once they determined that that approach might be difficult to conceal, they started selling mortgage pools and other assets to Colonial Bank that they knew to be worthless, officials said.

The New York Times

The boxy, intricate contraption was difficult to conceal in the summertime, and the batteries generated heat — not enough to burn a person's flesh, but plenty warm enough to cause excessive perspiration.

The New York Times

It would not be difficult to conceal a weapon in a shoulder bag, he says.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is difficult to conceal", ensure that the subject you're referring to is something that inherently has the potential to be hidden or kept secret. Using it with abstract concepts or things that are naturally public can sound awkward.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "is difficult to conceal" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation or informal writing. Consider simpler alternatives like "is hard to hide" or "is tough to keep secret" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is difficult to conceal" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the characteristic of something (the subject) being hard to hide or keep secret. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is difficult to conceal" is a grammatically sound and valid expression used to describe something challenging to hide or keep secret. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral register. For more casual settings, consider simpler alternatives like "is hard to hide". When using this phrase, be mindful of the subject you're describing and its inherent potential for being hidden. Overall, "is difficult to conceal" serves as a useful tool for expressing the challenge of maintaining secrecy in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is hard to hide

Replaces "difficult" with "hard", simplifying the language.

is challenging to disguise

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "conceal" with "disguise", adding a nuance of altering appearance.

is not easy to suppress

Uses a negative construction ("not easy") and replaces "conceal" with "suppress", emphasizing the act of preventing something from being known.

is tough to mask

Replaces "difficult" with "tough" and "conceal" with "mask", suggesting covering something up.

is problematic to keep secret

Emphasizes the problematic nature of maintaining secrecy, using a more descriptive approach.

is hardly possible to cover up

Uses "hardly possible" to convey difficulty and replaces "conceal" with "cover up", focusing on hiding evidence.

is unrealistic to keep under wraps

Indicates that keeping something secret is not realistic, using the idiom "under wraps".

is improbable to keep quiet

Shifts the focus to keeping information quiet, suggesting a lack of chance for success.

is unlikely to remain unnoticed

Focuses on the visibility of something, implying that it will probably be seen.

is a struggle to maintain secrecy

Highlights the effort required to keep something secret, portraying it as a difficult task.

FAQs

What does "is difficult to conceal" mean?

The phrase "is difficult to conceal" means that something is not easy to hide or keep secret. It suggests that there are challenges or obstacles in preventing something from being known or seen.

How to use "is difficult to conceal" in a sentence?

You can use "is difficult to conceal" to describe a situation where hiding something is challenging, such as "The evidence of his involvement "is difficult to conceal" given the numerous witnesses."

What are some alternatives to "is difficult to conceal"?

Alternatives to "is difficult to conceal" include phrases like "is hard to hide", "is challenging to disguise", or "is not easy to suppress", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "is difficult to conceal" or "is hard to hide"?

Both "is difficult to conceal" and "is hard to hide" are grammatically correct, but "is difficult to conceal" is more formal. "Is hard to hide" is generally suitable for informal contexts, while the former is better suited for formal writing or speech.