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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

it's hard to know
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's hard to know exactly what's causing this apparent anomaly.

News & Media

Forbes

Because it's hard to know if someone's lying.

News & Media

BBC

It's hard to know how to describe Yiwu Market's scale.

News & Media

BBC

It's hard to know exactly.

News & Media

The New York Times

But it's hard to know.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's hard to know, exactly.

Academia

Yale University

"It's hard to know for certain".

News & Media

The New York Times

"It's hard to know," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's hard to know anymore.

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

OK! It's hard to know.

News & Media

The Guardian - Film

It's hard to know what it knows.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow the phrase with a subordinate clause starting with 'how', 'why', 'what' or 'whether' to provide specific context to the uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "it's hard to know" when you actually mean you find the subject matter difficult to understand personally. If the information is available but complex, use 'it is hard to understand'. Reserve "it's hard to know" for situations where the information itself is elusive or unverified.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

98%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's hard to know" serves as a preparatory subject construction (or dummy 'it' construction). The pronoun 'it' acts as a placeholder for the true subject, which is the infinitive phrase 'to know'. This structure allows the speaker to emphasize the adjective 'hard', focusing on the difficulty of the situation. In the examples provided by Ludwig, this function is consistently used to signal a lack of evidentiary certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

Wiki

Social Media

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it's hard to know" is an essential part of modern English for expressing doubt or the limits of knowledge. Ludwig AI identifies it as a Very common expression used across high-tier publications like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is grammatically perfect and highly functional, serving as a preamble to complex discussions about politics, science, and social trends. While it is acceptable in most contexts, writers should be mindful of the difference between an inability to perceive (discern) and a lack of factual information (know). When aiming for the highest level of formality, expanding the contraction or using more specific verbs like 'ascertain' or 'determine' is recommended.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is difficult to determine

Provides a more clinical and formal tone, common in scientific and legal contexts.

it's hard to tell

Focuses more on visual or sensory discernment rather than pure knowledge.

it is hard to say

Often used when the speaker is hesitant to commit to a specific opinion or verbalize a thought.

one cannot be certain

Uses a formal subject and emphasizes the lack of absolute certainty.

it's challenging to ascertain

Uses more complex vocabulary suited for academic or professional reports.

it is unclear

A more concise adjective-based expression of ambiguity.

there is no way of knowing

A stronger assertion suggesting that the information is currently impossible to obtain.

it is tough to discern

Emphasizes the effort required to separate truth from noise.

it's anyone's guess

A much more informal and idiomatic way to express total uncertainty.

it remains to be seen

Shifts the focus to a future point where the information will eventually become clear.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "it's hard to know"?

It is an expression used to indicate that something is uncertain, ambiguous, or that there is a lack of sufficient information to form a definitive conclusion. You can also say "it is difficult to say".

Is "it's hard to know" formal enough for an essay?

While it is grammatically correct, using the contraction 'it's' can feel informal. In academic papers, it is better to use "it is difficult to determine" or "it is challenging to ascertain".

What is the difference between "it's hard to know" and "it's hard to tell"?

While very similar, "it's hard to tell" often refers to things you can see or perceive directly, whereas "it's hard to know" relates more to abstract facts or information.

What can I say instead of "it's hard to know"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "one cannot be sure", "it is unclear", or "there is no way of knowing".

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

98%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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it's hard to knowGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

it's hard to know
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples