is very difficult to say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very difficult to say" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is challenging to articulate or explain clearly. Example: "When it comes to my feelings about the situation, it is very difficult to say exactly how I feel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It is very difficult to say.

The New York Times

It is very difficult to say why he did it".

The New York Times

What happens now is very difficult to say".

The New York Times

Whatever this means is very difficult to say".

The New York Times

"It is very difficult to say," Greenspan replied.

The New Yorker

"It is very difficult to say who will win.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's very difficult to say".

The New York Times - Sports

It's very difficult to say left or right.

The New York Times

"However, it's very difficult to say when.

The Guardian

It's very difficult to say what's going on right now".

The New York Times

"It's very difficult to say they're right, we're wrong, or vice versa".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is very difficult to say", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes it difficult to express, providing some reasoning or associated factors.

Common error

Avoid using "is very difficult to say" as a placeholder without providing any explanation. Instead, offer some insights into why it's challenging to articulate or determine something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very difficult to say" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a level of uncertainty, complexity, or subjective judgment. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to acknowledge the challenge in providing a definitive answer or clear explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is very difficult to say" is a common expression used to convey uncertainty or the challenges in articulating a definitive answer. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, though it suggests being mindful of providing context to the difficulty. Analysis reveals its prevalence in News & Media and Scientific publications. While versatile, more formal options may suit academic settings. Overall, it serves as a practical tool for acknowledging complexity or the lack of clear information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is hard to articulate

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" and "say" with "articulate", emphasizing the challenge in verbal expression.

is tough to express

Substitutes "difficult" with "tough" and "say" with "express", highlighting the effort required for clear communication.

is not easy to determine

Uses a negative construction with "easy" and replaces "say" with "determine", focusing on the challenge in ascertaining something.

is challenging to ascertain

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "say" with "ascertain", indicating a demanding process of finding something out.

is difficult to put into words

Adds "put into words" to emphasize the struggle to verbalize a thought or feeling.

is almost impossible to tell

Changes "very difficult" to "almost impossible" and "say" to "tell", stressing near impossibility.

remains uncertain

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the continued lack of clarity or certainty.

defies easy explanation

Implies that the subject is resistant to straightforward explanation.

beggars description

Suggests that the subject is beyond the ability to be adequately described.

is shrouded in mystery

Indicates that the subject is concealed or obscured, making it hard to explain or understand.

FAQs

What does "is very difficult to say" mean?

The phrase "is very difficult to say" indicates that something is challenging to articulate, determine, or express clearly, often due to complexity, uncertainty, or lack of information.

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

You can use it when acknowledging the challenge in providing a definitive answer or explanation. For instance: "It "is very difficult to say" when the project will be completed because of unforeseen circumstances."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "is hard to articulate", "is tough to express", or "is not easy to determine" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "is very difficult to say" formal or informal?

The phrase "is very difficult to say" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly academic or professional settings.