is difficult to square

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is difficult to square" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or idea that is hard to reconcile or make consistent with another idea or fact. Example: "The company's profits are soaring, but employee morale is low; it's difficult to square these two realities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

It is difficult to square Spanier's behavior and Freeh's broad condemnation.

The New Yorker

This is difficult to square with the World Bank's ease of doing business survey that you quote.

The Economist

But this explanation for economic stagnation in the rich world is difficult to square with today's data.

The Economist

That fact, argue the economists, "is difficult to square with models of poverty traps".But I'm not so sure.

The Economist

The claim that boycotting Israel is discriminatory, however, is difficult to square with the state's own anti-Iran law.

The New Yorker

That is difficult to square with everything we know about the fateful decision not to restructure Greece's debt.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Such findings are difficult to square with the court's recent experiences.

The Washington Post

It was difficult to square such alarmism with the scene in Lyon yesterday.

The Guardian

"It's difficult to square the circle and meet all those constraints at the same time".

The New York Times

However, Polk said the figure was difficult to square with more negative signs emerging from other parts of the economy.

The Guardian

It's difficult to square this theory with the dramatic rise in obesity since 1980, or with much other evidence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is difficult to square" when you want to express that two facts, ideas, or situations seem contradictory or cannot be easily reconciled. For example, "His actions are difficult to square with his stated beliefs."

Common error

Avoid using "is difficult to square" when you actually mean something is challenging to measure or make even. The phrase is primarily used in a figurative sense to denote incompatibility or contradiction, not a literal squaring or measurement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is difficult to square" functions as a subjective assessment, indicating a perceived inconsistency or incompatibility between two or more elements. It introduces an element of judgment, suggesting that reconciling the elements is challenging based on available information. As per Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is difficult to square" is a common and correct way to express that two facts or ideas appear inconsistent or contradictory. As determined by Ludwig, it is frequently used in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts to highlight discrepancies and invite further examination. While grammatical, it's important to use it in its intended figurative sense, avoiding literal interpretations related to measurement. For situations where reconciliation is challenging, alternatives like "is hard to reconcile" or "is challenging to align" can provide subtle nuances. Overall, "is difficult to square" is a valuable tool for expressing skepticism and prompting deeper analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is hard to reconcile

Emphasizes the struggle to find compatibility or agreement.

is challenging to reconcile

Highlights the demanding nature of bringing two conflicting elements into harmony.

is tough to align

Focuses on the difficulty of bringing items into a straight line or a state of agreement.

is problematic to harmonize

Indicates that there are issues in achieving a pleasing or consistent arrangement.

is not easily reconciled

States a lack of ease in making different elements compatible.

does not readily align

Suggests an immediate lack of agreement or parallelism.

is not straightforward to integrate

Highlights the complexity of incorporating different aspects together smoothly.

presents a reconciliation challenge

Frames the situation as a specific problem related to bringing things into agreement.

poses an alignment problem

Points out the existence of an issue regarding bringing things into a correct relationship.

is incompatible with

Directly expresses a lack of ability to coexist or agree.

FAQs

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

Use "is difficult to square" when you want to convey that two things are inconsistent or hard to reconcile. For example, "His claim of ignorance is difficult to square with the evidence."

What can I say instead of "is difficult to square"?

You can use alternatives like "is hard to reconcile", "is challenging to align", or "is incompatible with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is difficult to square" or "is hard to square"?

Both "is difficult to square" and "is hard to square" are correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone.

What's the difference between "is difficult to square" and "is difficult to explain"?

"Is difficult to square" implies an inconsistency or contradiction between two things, while "is difficult to explain" suggests something is complex or unclear. For example, "His behavior is difficult to square with his previous statements" versus "His theory is difficult to explain to a general audience."