it is difficult to argue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is difficult to argue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that a particular point or position is challenging to dispute or contest. Example: "While there are many opinions on the matter, it is difficult to argue against the evidence presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is difficult to argue against any of its points on principle, but MFW's shtick is irritating.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is difficult to argue with that.

The New York Times - Sports

It is difficult to argue against technological progress.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But it is difficult to argue with the results.

The New York Times

It is difficult to argue with such testimonies.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is difficult to argue that this would be in their interests.

The Economist

It is difficult to argue that all or even most of that information should be classified.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is difficult to argue that this is not a good test.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is difficult to argue that this approach would be in the interest of my patient.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a result, it is "difficult" to argue that the advice they gave was independent.

The Guardian - Business

It is difficult to argue against the rationale of promoting Shakespeare to boost the UK's economy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to introduce a generally accepted idea or conclusion, especially after presenting supporting evidence or reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "it is difficult to argue" as a standalone statement without providing any context or evidence. Always back up your assertion with reasons or examples to make it more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to argue" functions as an introductory phrase used to acknowledge the strength or validity of a particular point or claim. As Ludwig AI confirms, it highlights that opposing or disputing the subsequent statement is challenging, often due to compelling evidence or widespread agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is difficult to argue" is a versatile phrase used to acknowledge the strength of a claim before continuing the discussion. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and functions as an introductory element, preparing the reader for a well-supported statement. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and academic contexts, maintaining a generally neutral register. For alternative phrasing, consider "it's hard to contest" or "it's challenging to dispute" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's hard to contest

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" and "argue" with "contest", offering a slightly less formal tone.

it's challenging to dispute

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "argue" with "dispute", conveying a similar meaning with a slight variation in intensity.

it is tough to debate

Replaces "difficult" with "tough" and "argue" with "debate", presenting a more assertive tone.

it is not easy to refute

Uses a negation of "easy" instead of "difficult" and replaces "argue" with "refute", suggesting a stronger level of disagreement.

there's no arguing with that

Inverts the structure to focus on the futility of arguing against a specific point.

it's a hard sell to deny

Employs a business metaphor, replacing "difficult to argue" with "hard sell to deny", implying a challenging persuasion.

the evidence is compelling

Focuses on the strength of the opposing evidence, implying that disagreement is difficult because of it.

the point is indisputable

Highlights the irrefutable nature of the point, making argument difficult due to its certainty.

it is undeniable

Expresses that the statement is fact and cannot be argued against.

the facts speak for themselves

Emphasizes that the facts are so clear that arguing against them is futile.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it is difficult to argue"?

You can use alternatives like "it's hard to contest", "it's challenging to dispute", or "there's no arguing with that" depending on the context.

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

Use "it is difficult to argue" to introduce a point that is generally accepted or supported by substantial evidence. For instance, "Given the overwhelming data, it is difficult to argue against the benefits of exercise."

Is "it is difficult to argue" formal or informal?

"It is difficult to argue" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal, suitable for both academic and professional writing. More informal alternatives exist, such as "it's hard to contest".

What's the difference between "it is difficult to argue" and "it is impossible to argue"?

"It is difficult to argue" suggests that while challenging, disputing the point is still theoretically possible. "It is impossible to argue" implies a complete lack of grounds for disagreement, suggesting the point is definitively settled.