it is complex to put a number on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is complex to put a number on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations or concepts that are difficult to quantify or measure accurately. Example: "When it comes to assessing the impact of climate change, it is complex to put a number on the long-term effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's difficult to put a number on it but there will be changes, inevitably.

BBC

NATURE has a value, but is it possible to put a number on it?

The Economist

In three months, you might even be able to put a number on it.

The New York Times

It's almost too big to put a number on.

Forbes

It's another to put an exact number on it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's hard to put an exact number on it".

TechCrunch

Moreover it is possible to put a constraint on the maximum number of offspring per male and female.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

It is therefore advisable to put a limit on the number of states inside each composite.

Chemical Reviews

But when they put a number on it, they don't put a number on the home runs the guys we did add this year are going to hit".

The New York Times - Sports

"They are actually putting a number on this?

The New York Times

It's time to put some numbers on this.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is complex to put a number on" when you want to express that something is difficult to quantify due to its multifaceted nature or lack of concrete data. This phrase is particularly useful in contexts where qualitative aspects outweigh quantitative measures.

Common error

Avoid using "it is complex to put a number on" for situations where a simple estimate or approximation would suffice. Reserve this phrase for instances where genuine complexity hinders accurate quantification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is complex to put a number on" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey the difficulty or impossibility of quantifying something due to its intricate or multifaceted nature. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

22%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is complex to put a number on" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon phrase used to express the difficulty in quantifying something because of its complex nature. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Wiki sources, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When you need to convey that assigning a numerical value is challenging, this phrase provides a clear and precise way to do so. Be mindful to use it only in situations where the complexity genuinely hinders quantification, instead of where a rough estimate would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's difficult to quantify

Focuses on the difficulty of quantifying something, often used in academic or formal contexts.

it's not easy to put a precise number on

Emphasizes the lack of ease in assigning a precise number.

it's hard to put an exact figure on

Highlights the lack of precision in determining a specific value.

it's challenging to assign a precise value

Emphasizes the challenge in assigning a precise value, suitable for technical or analytical discussions.

it's nearly impossible to measure accurately

Implies that accurate measurement is nearly impossible.

it's difficult to assess in numerical terms

Highlights the difficulty in assessing something using numbers or numerical data.

the impact is hard to gauge

Specifically refers to the difficulty of gauging the impact of something.

quantifying it is problematic

Directly states that quantifying the subject is problematic.

it's tough to estimate

Focuses on the difficulty in creating an estimate.

it's hard to pin down a specific amount

Emphasizes the difficulty in specifying a particular amount or quantity.

FAQs

What does "it is complex to put a number on" mean?

It means that something is difficult to quantify or measure precisely, often due to its intricate nature or a lack of concrete data.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it is complex to put a number on"?

Use it when discussing situations where you can't easily assign a numerical value because there are too many variables or the concept is abstract. For example, "it's difficult to quantify the long-term effects of a policy change".

What are some alternative ways to say "it is complex to put a number on"?

You can use phrases like "it's difficult to quantify", "it's hard to put an exact figure on", or "it's challenging to assign a precise value" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a situation where using "it is complex to put a number on" would be inappropriate?

Yes, it would be inappropriate in situations where a simple estimate or approximation is sufficient. The phrase is best reserved for truly complex scenarios where accurate quantification is genuinely difficult or impossible.