is difficult to grasp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is difficult to grasp" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is hard to understand or comprehend. Example: "The concept of quantum mechanics is difficult to grasp for many students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Even as it stands, the concept is difficult to grasp.

The Guardian

The concept that space can have a quality other than emptiness is difficult to grasp.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is difficult to grasp the immense size and impact of the ongoing environmental and human disaster in Indonesia.

The Guardian

"Probably this thing called 'yoshoku' is difficult to grasp from a foreigner's perspective," said Tatsuya Yokokawa, an executive at Shiseido Parlor.

The New York Times - Food

If you do not live in California, a vast state with malnourished public transport, it is difficult to grasp the necessity of driving.

The Guardian

With a mélange of federal, state, city and private recovery efforts under way, it is difficult to grasp what is really happening in the stricken city.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

His points were difficult to grasp.

The New York Times

But it's difficult to grasp precisely what Lesser means.

The New York Times - Books

It was difficult to grasp what was occurring in front of the eyes.

Independent

This is such an enormous amount of money, it's difficult to grasp.

The New York Times

But the play is so complicated that it was difficult to grasp completely.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is difficult to grasp" when you want to convey that something is not immediately obvious or easily understood, often due to its complexity or abstract nature.

Common error

Avoid using "is difficult to grasp" when simpler alternatives like "is hard to understand" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is difficult to grasp" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating that the subject possesses the characteristic of being hard to understand. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

54%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is difficult to grasp" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that is hard to understand. Ludwig AI confirms this, and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. It is prevalent in both scientific and news-related content, suggesting a broad applicability while tending towards a neutral but slightly formal register. While effective, it's important to consider simpler alternatives in less complex contexts to avoid unnecessary verbosity. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, this phrase is a useful tool for conveying challenges in comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is tough to grasp

Uses a more informal synonym ('tough') for 'difficult'.

is hard to understand

Replaces 'difficult to grasp' with a more straightforward expression.

is challenging to comprehend

Emphasizes the challenge in understanding something.

is not easily understood

Uses a passive construction to convey the difficulty in understanding.

is beyond my comprehension

Indicates a personal limitation in understanding.

eludes my understanding

Suggests a more subtle or elusive quality to the difficulty.

defies easy explanation

Focuses on the inability to explain something simply.

is conceptually complex

Highlights the complexity of the concept itself.

is obscure and unclear

Emphasizes a lack of clarity and accessibility.

presents a cognitive challenge

Frames the difficulty as a mental challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "is difficult to grasp" in a sentence?

You can use "is difficult to grasp" to describe concepts or situations that are hard to understand, for example: "The concept of quantum physics "is difficult to grasp" without a strong mathematical background."

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

Some alternatives include "is hard to understand", "is tough to grasp", or "is challenging to comprehend", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "is difficult to grasp" or "is hard to grasp"?

"Is difficult to grasp" and "is hard to grasp" are both acceptable, but "is difficult to grasp" is slightly more formal. The best choice depends on the context and the intended audience.

What makes something "difficult to grasp"?

Things that are "difficult to grasp" are often abstract, complex, or require specialized knowledge. The phrase suggests that understanding requires effort and may not be immediately apparent.