is very difficult to defend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very difficult to defend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a position, argument, or statement that lacks strong support or justification. Example: "The theory proposed by the researcher is very difficult to defend against the overwhelming evidence to the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"And I wanted her to shoot more because she's a natural scorer who is very difficult to defend because defenders know that while she's a very good shooter, she loves to pass".

The New York Times - Sports

That is very difficult to defend".

The Guardian - Arts

It is very difficult to defend against the possibility of connecting to a fake access point.

Seven Deadliest Wireless Technologies Attacks

"The way the standard is now, it is very difficult to defend titles.

BBC

The researchers say their work is crucial: without understanding how a deadly virus like bird flu works, it is very difficult to defend against it.

BBC

It is very difficult to defend, especially for teams that are seeing it for the first time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

And I think that's very difficult to defend".

The New York Times - Sports

If he plays like this every week, the Panthers will be very difficult to defend.

The New York Times

Had Mr. Hansen been arrested shortly after the slayings, Mr. Goodman said, he thinks he surely would have had an alibi, "but 40 years later it's very difficult to defend yourself.

The New York Times

Alan Doss, the head of the United Nations mission in Congo, said it had been very difficult to defend the perimeter of Goma and at the same time police the streets with a relatively small force of 900 Goma-based peacekeepers.

The New York Times

He's very difficult to defend against.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider strengthening your argument by acknowledging the difficulty upfront and then presenting compelling evidence or rationale to counter the inherent challenges in defending the position.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the difficulty to the point of making the position seem utterly hopeless. While acknowledging the challenges, maintain a tone that suggests a defense, however difficult, is still possible or worthwhile.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very difficult to defend" functions as a descriptive expression, characterizing something as challenging to protect or justify. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. The phrase acts as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by indicating its defensibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is very difficult to defend" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes something challenging to protect or justify. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and indicates its presence in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While not exceptionally frequent, its neutral register and presence in authoritative sources make it a versatile option for expressing opinions about the defensibility of various subjects. Remember to consider the specific context and choose the phrase or alternatives that best convey the degree of difficulty you wish to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is almost indefensible

Uses a more direct term, "indefensible", suggesting the near impossibility of defense.

poses a significant defensive challenge

Highlights the challenge aspect of defense, similar to the original phrase, but uses different wording and structure.

presents a formidable defense challenge

Emphasizes the formidability of the challenge in defending, maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

is exceptionally hard to justify

Focuses on the justification aspect, implying difficulty in defending one's actions or views.

is tough to argue in favor of

Emphasizes the difficulty in arguing for something, making the defense challenging.

cannot be easily supported

Focuses on the lack of support, implying that defending it is tough.

is open to easy criticism

Shifts the emphasis to the ease of criticism, implying that it is difficult to defend against such criticism.

provides little room for justification

Shifts the focus to the lack of available justifications, making it difficult to defend.

struggles to withstand scrutiny

Highlights the inability to withstand examination, emphasizing the weakness of the defense.

faces considerable opposition

Emphasizes that defending something will be difficult due to considerable opposition.

FAQs

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

You can use "is very difficult to defend" to describe a position, argument, or strategy that faces significant challenges or lacks strong support. For example, "The company's environmental policy is very difficult to defend given its record of pollution violations."

What are some alternatives to "is very difficult to defend"?

Alternatives include "is almost indefensible", "is exceptionally hard to justify", or "presents a formidable defense challenge", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "is difficult to defend" or "is very difficult to defend"?

Both "is difficult to defend" and "is very difficult to defend" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the degree of difficulty you want to convey. "Very difficult" emphasizes a higher level of challenge.

What makes something "very difficult to defend"?

Something might be "very difficult to defend" if it lacks sufficient evidence, has logical flaws, contradicts established facts, or faces strong opposition. The phrase highlights inherent weaknesses or vulnerabilities in the subject being defended.