is very difficult to untangle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very difficult to untangle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation, problem, or concept that is complex and hard to resolve or understand. Example: "The legal issues surrounding the case are very difficult to untangle, making it challenging for the lawyers to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is very difficult to untangle that.

The Guardian

What is true, is that clearly Nicole and Michael were engaged in a highly toxic relationship that is very difficult to untangle with only one side of the story.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Combinations of noise and cortical activity already appear to be very difficult to untangle for dynamics simpler than the one discussed here [22].

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

But for many people, if we put the friendships, fun and pleasures of drinking against their struggles to get by in the world, I think they're very difficult to untangle.

Vice

They are very difficult to disentangle.

BBC

It is very hard to untangle all of that unless you have a lot of data.

The New York Times

It is very difficult to.

Independent

It is very difficult to repeat this".

The New York Times - Sports

"It is very difficult to pursue quality.

The New York Times

And that is very difficult to change.

The Economist

"It is very difficult to look at".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex relationships or situations, use "is very difficult to untangle" to convey the challenge of understanding interconnected elements. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being untangled.

Common error

Avoid using "is very difficult to untangle" in situations that are only mildly complex. Opt for simpler language when the situation doesn't involve multiple intertwined elements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very difficult to untangle" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing something as complex and challenging to resolve or understand. As Ludwig AI shows, it is often used in contexts involving intricate relationships or confusing situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is very difficult to untangle" is a phrase used to describe complex situations that are challenging to understand or resolve. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, although its frequency is rare. It appears across various contexts, including news, science, and wiki content, suggesting a versatile yet infrequent use. When writing, it's crucial to ensure the context justifies the complexity implied by the phrase, opting for simpler language in less intricate situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is hard to unravel

Focuses on the complexity and the need to 'unravel' the problem.

is extremely challenging to disentangle

Emphasizes the high level of difficulty and uses 'disentangle' for a more formal tone.

is particularly complex to resolve

Highlights the complexity and the goal of 'resolving' the issue.

is quite intricate to sort out

Uses 'intricate' to describe complexity and 'sort out' for resolution.

is remarkably complicated to clarify

Stresses the complexity and the need for 'clarification'.

is especially problematic to understand

Focuses on the difficulty in understanding the issue.

is exceedingly tough to make sense of

Emphasizes the toughness and the goal of 'making sense' of the matter.

is notably arduous to decipher

Uses 'arduous' to highlight difficulty and 'decipher' for understanding.

is terribly knotty to figure out

Emphasizes the entanglement ('knotty') and the act of 'figuring out'.

is unusually labyrinthine to navigate

Describes the issue as a 'labyrinth' and the need to 'navigate' it.

FAQs

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

Use "is very difficult to untangle" to describe situations or problems that are complex and have many interconnected parts. For example, "The web of financial transactions is very difficult to untangle."

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

Alternatives include "is hard to unravel", "is extremely challenging to disentangle", or "is particularly complex to resolve".

Is it appropriate to use "is very difficult to untangle" in formal writing?

Yes, "is very difficult to untangle" is appropriate for formal writing, though it's best suited when describing genuinely complex situations. In simpler cases, consider a less emphatic alternative.

What makes something "very difficult to untangle"?

Something becomes "very difficult to untangle" when it involves multiple layers, conflicting information, or intricate relationships that make it hard to understand or resolve the situation clearly.