is hard to count

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is hard to count" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that is difficult to quantify or measure, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The number of stars in the universe is hard to count due to their vastness and distance from Earth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It is hard to count.

The New Yorker

Despite the recent struggles, it is hard to count Nintendo out completely.

The New York Times - Tech

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS -- Any team with Allen Iverson is hard to count out.

The New York Times

While it is hard to count marine populations accurately, strandings "can be a proxy" says Deaville.

The Guardian

The state has only had one Republican senator since reconstruction, and it is hard to count out a savvy Democrat.

The New York Times

"How many is hard to count, but programmes that would have started didn't because of the cost of naloxone.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The smaller number of Long Island residents from other hard-hit countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, is harder to count because it falls into the census category of "other Asians".

The New York Times

Services, now roughly two-thirds of the economy, are especially neglected by statisticians, perhaps because it is harder to count the output of an IT specialist, say, than that of a gold-miner.

The Economist

They are hard to count.

The New York Times

It was hard to count the low points.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ferrets, which are nocturnal and secretive, are hard to count, and numbers are always an approximation.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse in formal writing; consider stronger alternatives like "cannot be accurately assessed" to enhance precision and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "is hard to count" without specifying the reason for the difficulty. Providing context, such as limited data or complex variables, adds clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is hard to count" functions as a descriptive qualifier, indicating the difficulty in quantifying something. As Ludwig highlights, it's generally considered grammatically sound. The examples show its use across varied subjects, from populations to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is hard to count" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to express the difficulty in quantifying something. Ludwig shows that it is used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While acceptable in most situations, consider more precise alternatives like "difficult to quantify" or "challenging to enumerate" for formal or scientific writing. Keep in mind that, according to Ludwig AI, it's advisable to provide context specifying the reason for the difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is difficult to quantify

Replaces "hard" with "difficult" and "count" with "quantify", emphasizing the measurement aspect.

is challenging to enumerate

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "count" with "enumerate", focusing on a detailed listing.

is not easily calculated

Replaces "hard" with "not easily" and "count" with "calculated", shifting the focus to computation.

defies precise measurement

Expresses the idea using a more formal tone, indicating that exact measurement is impossible.

is impossible to determine

Indicates that finding the exact number is not feasible.

is beyond calculation

Suggests that the number is so high or complex that it cannot be calculated.

is difficult to ascertain

Uses "ascertain" to emphasize the challenge in discovering or establishing the number.

cannot be accurately assessed

Highlights the inability to accurately evaluate the quantity.

is beyond accurate reckoning

Indicates that precise estimation is not possible.

eludes precise quantification

Uses "eludes" to express that precise measurement cannot be grasped.

FAQs

What does "is hard to count" mean?

The phrase "is hard to count" means something is difficult to quantify or enumerate. It implies challenges in accurately determining the number or amount.

How can I use "is hard to count" in a sentence?

You can use "is hard to count" to describe populations, abstract ideas, or anything that poses a challenge to quantify accurately. For example, "The number of stars in the universe "is hard to count" due to their vastness."

What are some alternatives to "is hard to count"?

Alternatives include "is difficult to quantify", "is challenging to enumerate", or "defies precise measurement", depending on the specific context.

Is "is hard to count" formal or informal?

The phrase "is hard to count" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "cannot be accurately assessed" or "eludes precise quantification".