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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it is difficult to characterize

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is difficult to characterize" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a subject or concept that is complex or challenging to define or describe clearly. Example: "The phenomenon of climate change is multifaceted, and it is difficult to characterize its long-term impacts on global ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Because of the diversity and complexity of natural flavonoid in medicinal plants, it is difficult to characterize every compound and elucidate its structure.

However, thus far, it is difficult to characterize these complex interactions.

However, it is difficult to characterize these deeply buried karst caves accurately and completely.

But lacking the distinctions of contemporary philosophy, it is difficult to characterize Santayana's philosophy of mind accurately.

Science

SEP

In fact, it is difficult to characterize the compactness of the sum of several arbitrary u j C j 's.

However, this is often ignored in ecological studies because it is difficult to characterize using traditional field methods.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

It's difficult to characterize music in simple, sweeping terms.

News & Media

The New York Times

"It's difficult to characterize a vacation house as something other than a luxury, a bauble," Kevin Daly concluded.

News & Media

The New York Times

Mr. Stewart said that residents were generally aware of the verdict but that it was difficult to characterize their feelings.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's difficult to characterize these actions as a trend, because we are talking about a relatively short period of time with a high number of incidents".

News & Media

The New York Times

In broad terms, I think it's difficult to characterize me as being left or right of what he's trying to accomplish.

Science & Research

Science Magazine
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is difficult to characterize", clearly state the reason for the difficulty. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is difficult to characterize" without specifying what aspects are challenging. Being specific strengthens your argument and avoids vagueness.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to characterize" serves as an evaluative statement, expressing the speaker or writer's assessment of the challenges involved in defining or describing a particular subject. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is difficult to characterize" is a versatile phrase used to express the challenges in defining or describing a complex subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used in scientific and academic writing, although it also appears in news media. When using this phrase, clarity is key: always specify why the subject is difficult to characterize. Alternatives include "it is challenging to define" or "it is hard to describe", offering similar nuances depending on the context.

FAQs

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

Use "it is difficult to characterize" when you want to express that something is not easily defined or described due to its complexity or ambiguity. For example, "It is difficult to characterize the long-term effects of this policy."

What are some alternatives to "it is difficult to characterize"?

You can use alternatives like "it is challenging to define", "it is hard to describe", or "it is not easy to categorize" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "it is difficult to characterize" or "it's difficult to characterize"?

Both "it is difficult to characterize" and "it's difficult to characterize" are grammatically correct. The latter is a contraction and is more informal, while the former is more formal.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "it is difficult to characterize"?

The phrase "it is difficult to characterize" is appropriate in academic, scientific, and professional contexts when discussing complex topics or phenomena that lack clear definitions or boundaries. However, depending on the audience and the document, you can use alternatives that are more informal.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: