it difficult to argue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it difficult to argue" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "it is difficult to argue"? You can use this phrase when discussing a point or situation that is challenging to defend or support in a debate or discussion. Example: "Given the overwhelming evidence against the theory, it is difficult to argue that it holds any validity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The profession has found it difficult to argue its case in the wake of Enron and other accounting scandals.

The Guardian - Business

I would find it difficult to argue.

The Guardian

Marcus Camby finds it difficult to argue.

The New York Times - Sports

But the drug companies found it difficult to argue that their products were not safe, with or without a prescription.

The New York Times

Even Mr. Bush's most ardent foes, among them Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, his 2004 Democratic challenger, find it difficult to argue with the numbers.

The New York Times

But while May notes that "strictly speaking, legally, the [plaintiffs'] causes of action have legs," the case's pioneering nature may make it difficult to argue in court.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"At face value," said one Bush official, "it seems difficult to argue that it's neutral territory".

The New York Times

This problem probably make it somewhat difficult to argue that it is possible to calculate sensitivity and specificity of a symptom questionnaire to detect specific disease.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

It is so nonsensical that it becomes difficult to argue with.

Vice

However, it is difficult to argue this type of ordering as it is affiliated with dimensions in accordance with imputed characteristic to a certain taste.

BioMed Research International

Mr Jones said it was difficult to argue against English laws "in principle", but in practice "it's difficult".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure the inclusion of the verb "is" when using "difficult to argue" to maintain grammatical correctness: use "it is difficult to argue" instead of "it difficult to argue".

Common error

A frequent error is omitting "is" in the phrase. To maintain proper grammar, always include "is": "It is difficult to argue" not "It difficult to argue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it difficult to argue" is often used as part of a broader statement to express the challenge or difficulty in defending a particular viewpoint. However, it needs the auxiliary verb is for grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "it difficult to argue" appears in various contexts, it's crucial to recognize that it is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form is "it is difficult to argue" or "it's difficult to argue". This phrase is commonly used in news, scientific, and business contexts to express that a point is challenging to defend. For clearer and more impactful writing, ensure you include the auxiliary verb "is". Alternatives like "hard to contend" or "challenging to assert" can also add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is hard to argue

Corrects the grammatical structure for clarity and standard usage.

it's challenging to contend

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "argue" with "contend" for a more formal tone.

it is tough to dispute

Uses "tough" instead of "difficult" and "dispute" for "argue", maintaining similar meaning with varied vocabulary.

it is not easy to assert

Employs "not easy" in place of "difficult" and "assert" instead of "argue", softening the original statement.

making a case is problematic

Shifts focus to the act of "making a case", highlighting the "problematic" nature instead of direct difficulty in arguing.

it is difficult to maintain

Replace "argue" with "maintain" to highlight challenges of upholding a position.

it is a stretch to suggest

Replace "argue" with "suggest" to emphasize the unlikelihood of success.

it poses a challenge to debate

Rephrases the idea to focus on the "challenge" presented when "debating" the subject.

it is a struggle to reason

Substitute "difficult" with "struggle" and "argue" with "reason", for showcasing the effort to persuade.

establishing the argument is complex

Changes the focus to the "establishing the argument" emphasizing its "complex" nature.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "it difficult to argue"?

The grammatically correct way to phrase this is "it is difficult to argue" or "it's difficult to argue". The inclusion of the verb "is" ensures proper sentence structure.

What does "it is difficult to argue" mean?

This phrase means that it's challenging to defend or support a particular point or idea, often due to a lack of evidence or strong counterarguments. Consider alternatives like "hard to contend" or "challenging to assert".

How can I use "it is difficult to argue" in a sentence?

Example: "Given the overwhelming evidence, "it is difficult to argue" against the conclusion."

Are there more formal alternatives to "it is difficult to argue"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "hard to contend", "challenging to assert", or "tough to dispute" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.